Buddleja sessiliflora Kunth

Species Identification

Buddleja sessiliflora Kunth is a trioecious plant that grows as a shrub or small tree, reaching 1.5 to 5 meters in height.

Trunk and Bark Characteristics

Its trunk grows to less than 7 centimeters in diameter, and the bark is yellow-brown and fissured.

Young Branch Features

Young branches are subquadrangular and yellowish, with the youngest branch sections covered in tomentum.

Basal Leaf Traits

Leaf shape and size vary widely across the plant: basal leaves are ovate, 9 to 23 centimeters long by 5 to 14 centimeters wide, with serrate margins.

Upper Leaf Traits

Upper leaves are lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, 5 to 15 centimeters long by 1.5 to 3 centimeters wide, with entire or irregularly serrulate margins.

Leaf Surface Characteristics

The upper surface of both types of leaves is generally glabrescent.

Inflorescence Appearance

The inflorescences are yellow, leafy-bracted, and 6 to 25 centimeters long.

Inflorescence Head Structure

They are made up of sessile or short pedunculate heads 1 to 3 centimeters in diameter, each holding 10 to 35 flowers.

Flower Scent

The flower scent is generally considered unpleasant, described as "like ammonia but sweeter".

Ploidy

This species has a ploidy of 2n = 76.

Cultivation Status

It is currently known to be in cultivation at Le Jardin de Rochevieille in France.