butterflybush: Buddleja davidii (Scrophulariales: Scrophulariaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

butterflybush	USDA PLANTS Symbol: BUDA2 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Shrub or Subshrub
Buddleja davidii Franch.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Scrophulariales: Scrophulariaceae
Synonym(s): orange eye butterflybush, summer lilac
Native Range: China (REHD, BAIL);
Appearance Buddleja davidii is a deciduous shrub that is 3-15 ft. (1-5 m) tall with arching stems. Foliage The leaves are opposite, 6-10 in. (15-25 cm) long, velvety and lanced-shaped. Flowers Flowering occurs from May to August, when dense clusters of tubular flowers develop. These flowers have 4 petals and can be purple, white or pink. The flowers produce high quantities of nectar and are attractive to butterflies, hence the common name. Fruit The developing pods are small upright ovate pods, which may not be readily visible through the remnants of the flower. When mature, the pods area a dark brown and opened at the tip. The seeds are dust-like particles which can easily be distributed by the wind. Ecological Threat Buddleja davidii readily invades disturbed sites and riparian areas. Although butterflies will use this plant as a nectar source their larvae cannot survive on it. By replacing native larval food source plants butterflybush can have a negative impact on wildlife.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Plant(s); habit Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); invading fenceline Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); flowers Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); flowers Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Flower John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); flower and seed panicles Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); fruits Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Black Knight form fruit Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); seedheads Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; leaves Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org