About Buddleja asiatica Lour.
Growth Form
Buddleja asiatica Lour. is a somewhat tender deciduous shrub. In the wild, it can grow to less than 7 meters tall.
Leaf Characteristics
Its leaves are typically narrowly lanceolate to ovoid, less than 30 centimeters long, and attached by 15 millimeter-long petioles to branches that are round in cross-section.
Flower Appearance
The sweetly scented flowers are most often white, and occasionally pale violet.
Flower Arrangement
They are produced in late winter at the ends of long, lax branches, arranged in slender panicles, whose size can vary widely depending on the source.
Ploidy
The ploidy of this species is 2n = 38, meaning it is diploid.
Native Range
Buddleja asiatica is native to Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, North-Central, South-Central, and Southeast China, East Himalaya, West Himalaya, Hainan, India, Java, Laos, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Malaysia, the Maluku Islands, the Mariana Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam.
Introduced Range
It has been introduced to the East Aegean Islands, Hawaii, and Vanuatu.
Cultivation in UK
Buddleja asiatica is not fully hardy in the United Kingdom, but can be grown successfully against a south-facing wall in coastal areas of southern and western UK, where it tolerates temperatures down to approximately 0 °C (32 °F).
Collection Specimen
A specimen is grown under glass at Longstock Park Nursery, near Stockbridge, Hampshire, which is one of the four NCCPG national collection holders for this genus.
Hardiness Ratings
Its hardiness rating is RHS H3, and it is suited to USDA zones 9–10.
Invasion Risk
Due to its broad ecological range, ability to adapt to disturbed areas, and tolerance of a wide range of elevations and rainfall levels, it easily naturalizes in tropical regions and can become invasive.
Practical Uses
In Nepal, the leaves of Buddleja asiatica are collected for use as fodder for domesticated animals, and its trunk is harvested for firewood.
Cultural Significance
During traditional Thangmi wedding rituals, female relatives of the groom wear necklaces made from the plant's white flowers.
