Buddleja crispa var. tibetica
Encyclopedia
Tibetica is a xerophytic variety of Buddleja crispa
discovered and collected in 1904 in the Llalung Valley (altitude 3,300 m), Tibet
, by H. J. Walton, a member of the Tibet Frontier Commission, whilst travelling from Sikkim
to Lhasa
. The shrub was introduced to the UK by Lord Wigram
, who received it from the Lloyd Botanic Garden
in Darjeeling
as Buddleja hastata Prain
, ex C. Marquand in 1931
shrub
of very sparse habit, growing to < 3 m high, more in diameter. The flowers appear before the leaves at the nodes of the previous year's growth, during March in the UK. The faintly scented flowers form compact sessile or subsessile clusters, initially dark purple, they rapidly turn pale on opening, ultimately becoming white. The distinctive leaves are < 10 cm long, and broadly lanceolate
, though there is considerable variation in both size and shape; the upper surface covered with a tomentum
which persists for several months, bestowing a greyish-white bloom.
, and it is from this plant that all the other known specimens in the UK were derived. Still very rare in cultivation, the shrub was propagated in 2007 by Peter Moore of the Longstock Park Nursery, NCCPG National Collection holders, near Stockbridge
in Hampshire
. The seed is infertile, and cuttings are difficult to strike; hardwood cuttings can occasionally be rooted in 100% perlite
, and softwood cuttings can be struck in June under mist.
. Grown from a cutting from the specimen at Crathes Castle
in 1942, its longevity has been attributed to the comparatively dry climate of Edinburgh
(average rainfall 676 mm per annum, compared with 1650 mm for Scotland as a whole) http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&biw=1004&bih=610&q=edinburgh+average+annual+rainfall&aq=0&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=EDINBURGH+average+annual+rainfall, and location against a wall.
Buddleja crispa
Buddleja crispa - sometimes called the Himalayan Butterfly Bush - is native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, North India, Nepal, Pakistan and China , where it grows on dry river beds, slopes with boulders, exposed cliffs, and in thickets, at an elevation of 1400 – 4300 m. Named by Bentham in 1835, B...
discovered and collected in 1904 in the Llalung Valley (altitude 3,300 m), Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
, by H. J. Walton, a member of the Tibet Frontier Commission, whilst travelling from Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
to Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world...
. The shrub was introduced to the UK by Lord Wigram
Clive Wigram, 1st Baron Wigram
Clive Wigram, 1st Baron Wigram GCB, GCVO, CSI, PC , was a British soldier and court official. He was Private Secretary to the Sovereign from 1931 to 1936....
, who received it from the Lloyd Botanic Garden
Lloyd's Botanical Garden
Lloyd's Botanical Garden, or Darjeeling Botanical Garden, is a botanical garden in Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal.-History:...
in Darjeeling
as Buddleja hastata Prain
David Prain
Sir David Prain FRS was a Scottish botanist.-Biography:Prain was born to a saddler in Fettercairn, Kincardineshire, Scotland and studied at the local Parish Schhool and the University of Aberdeen. He taught for two years at Ramsgate College and then returned to Scotland to enter the University of...
, ex C. Marquand in 1931
Description
Var. tibetica is a deciduousDeciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
of very sparse habit, growing to < 3 m high, more in diameter. The flowers appear before the leaves at the nodes of the previous year's growth, during March in the UK. The faintly scented flowers form compact sessile or subsessile clusters, initially dark purple, they rapidly turn pale on opening, ultimately becoming white. The distinctive leaves are < 10 cm long, and broadly lanceolate
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
, though there is considerable variation in both size and shape; the upper surface covered with a tomentum
Tomentum
Tomentum may refer to the following:*In botany, a covering of closely matted or fine hairs on plant leaves. *A network of minute blood vessels in the brain.* Tomentum in zoology are a short, soft pubescence...
which persists for several months, bestowing a greyish-white bloom.
Cultivation
Lord Wigram grew his plant in his moat garden at Windsor CastleWindsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
, and it is from this plant that all the other known specimens in the UK were derived. Still very rare in cultivation, the shrub was propagated in 2007 by Peter Moore of the Longstock Park Nursery, NCCPG National Collection holders, near Stockbridge
Stockbridge, Hampshire
Stockbridge is a small town and civil parish in Hampshire, England. It has an acreage of and a population of little under 600 people according to the 2001 census in Hampshire, England. It lies on the River Test, in the Test Valley district and renowned for trout fishing. The A30 road goes through...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. The seed is infertile, and cuttings are difficult to strike; hardwood cuttings can occasionally be rooted in 100% perlite
Perlite
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently...
, and softwood cuttings can be struck in June under mist.
Notable plants
The oldest and largest specimen is to be found in one of the outer gardens of the Royal Botanic Garden EdinburghRoyal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. Originally founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies four sites across Scotland — Edinburgh,...
. Grown from a cutting from the specimen at Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle is a 16th century castle near Banchory in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. This harled castle was built by the Burnetts of Leys and was held in that family for almost 400 years...
in 1942, its longevity has been attributed to the comparatively dry climate of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
(average rainfall 676 mm per annum, compared with 1650 mm for Scotland as a whole) http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&biw=1004&bih=610&q=edinburgh+average+annual+rainfall&aq=0&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=EDINBURGH+average+annual+rainfall, and location against a wall.
Literature
- Bean, W. J. (1970). Trees & Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles, 8th ed., Vol. 1.. (2nd impression 1976) London
- Brown, R. (ex C. Martius). (1996). Loganiceae, in Wu, Z. & Raven, P. (eds) Flora of China, Vol. 15. Science Press, Beijing, and Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, USA. ISBN 10-193-072340-15 vol. 15 (1996): online at www.efloras.org
- Hillier & Sons. (1990). Hillier's Manual of Trees & Shrubs, 5th ed.. David & Charles, Newton Abbot.
- Leeuwenberg, A. J. M. (1979) The Loganiaceae of Africa XVIII Buddleja L. II, Revision of the African & Asiatic species. H. Veenman & Zonen B. V., Wageningen, Netherlands.