Woolly butterflybush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woolly butterflybush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Buddleja
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| Species: |
marrubiifolia
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The Buddleja marrubiifolia, also known as the woolly butterflybush, is a type of shrub that lives for many years. It is found only in the Chihuahuan Desert, a large desert area stretching from southern Texas in the United States down into Mexico, including San Luis Potosí. This plant prefers to grow in rocky areas like canyons and dry riverbeds called arroyos. It likes soils made of limestone and gypsum. You can find it at elevations from about 600 to 2,250 meters (2,000 to 7,400 feet) above sea level. The scientist George Bentham first named and described this plant in 1846.
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What Does the Woolly Butterflybush Look Like?
The woolly butterflybush is a multi-branched shrub that usually grows between 0.5 and 2 meters (1.6 to 6.6 feet) tall. It has bark that is grayish to black and often has small cracks. Its young branches are round and covered in soft, woolly hairs.
Leaves and Flowers of the Butterflybush
The leaves of the woolly butterflybush are shaped like an egg or a diamond. They are about 1 to 3 centimeters (0.4 to 1.2 inches) long and 0.6 to 1.5 centimeters (0.2 to 0.6 inches) wide. Both sides of the leaves are covered in thick, woolly hairs, which gives the plant its "woolly" name.
The flowers grow in round clusters at the ends of the branches. Each cluster is about 0.8 to 1.2 centimeters (0.3 to 0.5 inches) across and can have around 35 small flowers. These flowers are a deep yellow color and turn orange as they get older. Each flower's petals are about 2 to 3.5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.14 inches) long.
Where Does the Woolly Butterflybush Grow?
This shrub is often grown in places like Tucson, Arizona because its bright flowers attract many butterflies. People also plant it as a decorative plant in Hawaii. You can even find this shrub for sale in France, where special plant nurseries offer it. It was brought to the United Kingdom in 2013, with a few plants going to important plant collections like the one at Longstock Park Nursery and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Growing Conditions for the Butterflybush
The woolly butterflybush is quite tough and can handle different climates. It grows best in USDA hardiness zone 7, which means it can survive winter temperatures down to about -17.8 to -15 degrees Celsius (0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit).
Special Types of Woolly Butterflybush
There is a specific type of woolly butterflybush called Presidio. This special selection was developed by Logan Calhoun in Texas. It is known for being more resistant to cold weather than other woolly butterflybushes. It can grow well in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 10, which are warmer areas.
