Buddleia officinalis
| Buddleia officinalis | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Early Winter-Late Winter |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Buddleia officinalis (common name: mi meng hua)
Propagation: Seed - cold stratify for 4 weeks at 4°c[1] and surface sow the seed in February/March in a greenhouse[2][3] (the pre-chilling might not be required for this species). Germination usually takes place within 3 - 4 weeks at 21°c[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Seedlings are inclined to damp off and so should be watered with care and kept well-ventilated[2].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[4][3]. Use short side-shoots[2]. Very high percentage[3].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm long, October/November in a frame[5].
Cultivation: Requires a sunny position[4][6]. Prefers a rich loamy soil but succeeds in most well-drained soils[7][4][5]. Very tolerant of alkaline soils[5]. Requires a site sheltered from the wind because the leaves are easily damaged[8].
Tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[9], this species is hardy in Cornwall[4][10] but not in most parts of Britain[7]. It resprouts freely from the base if cut back by severe weather[5].
A very ornamental plant[7], it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[5].
Plants flower on the current years growth and can be pruned back hard in spring to encourage freer flowering[6].
An excellent plant for bees and butterflies[11].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: E. Asia - western China.
Habitat: River valleys of Szechwan in dry rocky areas to 1000 metres[12]. Cliffs, scrub and waste places at elevations up to 1,000 metres[8].
Medicinal: Febrifuge[13][14][12].
The flowers and flower buds are antispasmodic, slightly cholagogue and ophthalmic[15]. They have an action similar to vitamin P, reducing the permeability and fragility of the blood vessels of the skin and small intestine[15]. They are used in the treatment of various eye problems[15][16]. They are also used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, hepatitis and hernia[16].
A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of collyrium[16]. Also used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, hepatitis and hernia[16].
Pollinators: Bees, lepidoptera
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Kariyone, Tatsuo. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.