Taxonomy
Buddleja davidii | Butterfly-bush
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Native status
Non-native
First reported in the wild
1957
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of Medium Impact
Irish status
Established
Introduction pathways - 1
Escape from Confinement
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Ornamental purpose
Invasive score
15
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Deciduous shrub up to 5m tall with long arching branches and lilac flowers (though occasionally white or purple) in long pyramidal dense panicles (Stace, 1997). However there are seven subspecies and over 90 cultivars of B. davidii described so some variation in overall plant size, length of the inflorescence, size and color of the leaves and flowers is to be expected (Stuart, 2006 in Talent-Hassell & Watt, 2009).
Ecology
No precise studies have been done on the level of impact of Buddleja davidii, likely due to its long history of naturalisation (Talent-Hassell & Watt, 2009), but it is likely to displace native plants where it is present. An economic impact assessment of invasive species found "There are no negative effects known due to butterfly bush growth in Germany" (Reinhardt et al., 2003).
Habitat
Grasslands and landscapes dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens; Heath, scrubland & tundra; Woodland, forest and other wooded land; Regularly or recently cultivated agricultural, horticultural or domestic habitat; Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats; Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats
Reproduction
B. davidii roots grow rapidly and develop extensive networks of fine roots, which allow it to grow into dense thickets (Talent-Hassel & Watt, 2009). Relatively short-lived in the seedbank, though produces abundant seed (Talent-Hassel & Watt, 2009).
Pathway and vector description
Popular garden ornamental, widely planted as a 'butterfly bush'. May have expanded its range in the later half of the 20th century (Reynolds, 2002) but this may simply be an artefact of recording effort or secondary introductions through deliberate plantings.
Mechanism of impact
Competition, Other
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Habitat description
B. davidii establishes readily on naturally or on anthropogenically disturbed sites such as quarries, urban waste grounds, abandoned cultivated areas, clearcut forests, along railway lines etc. (Tallent-Halsell & Watt, 2009).
Species group
Plant
Native region
Temperate Asia
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Established - Widespread & Common on roadsides and waste ground. Likely under recorded
Native distribution
Native to China, though has been demonstrated to perform better in its introduced range than its native (Ebeling et al., 2008). This may be due to outcrossing between the different sub-species and cultivars.
Temporal change
Date of first record category
1951-1960
Fifty year date category
1951-2000
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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How can you help
Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
References
Publications
Ebeling, S. K., Hensen, I., & Auge, H. (2008). The invasive shrub Buddleja davidii performs better in its introduced range. Diversity and Distributions, 14(2), 225-233.
Reynolds, S.C.P. (2002) A catalogue of alien plants in Ireland. National Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin, Dublin.
Stace, C. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Stuart, D. D. 2006. Plant Collect Guide Buddlejas. Timber Press Royal Horticultural Society, Portland.
Tallent-Halsell, N. G., & Watt, M. S. (2009). The invasive Buddleja davidii (butterfly bush). The Botanical Review, 75(3), 292-325.
Reinhardt F, Herle M, Bastiansen F, & Streit B, 2003. Economic impact of the spread of alien species in Germany. Federal Environmental Agency, Research Report: 201 86 211 UBA-FB 000441e. Germany: Federal Environmental Agency.
Relevant links
Global Invasive Species Database
Additional comments
There has been some concern over the use of Buddleja davidii as means of attracting butterflies to gardens. Though it is an invasive species in parts of its range the benefit to pollinators is though to be such that rather than advocate a ban on planting or the sale of the species, gardeners should be mindful of where they plant it and only plant in areas where it is unlikely to be introduced into the wild and deflowering in winter, though labour intensive, would be recommended. While birds and other predators of butterflies have been observed congregating near butterfly bushes and consuming large quantities of butterflies there is no evidence that this results in any population level declines in butterfly numbers.