Buddleja sessiliflora
Encyclopedia
Buddleja sessiliflora is endemic to southern Arizona
, the extreme south of Texas
, northern Baja California
and much of central and northern Mexico
excluding the Chihuahua Desert. The shrub grows in thorn savannah
, forests, riparian woodland, along roadsides and in disturbed areas from sea level to 2,800 m. The species was first named and described by Kunth
in 1818.
. The leaves vary widely, those at the base ovate
, 9 - 23 cm long by 5 - 14 cm wide, the margins serrate
, whilst the upper leaves are lanceolate
or narrowly elliptic
, 5 - 15 cm long by 1.5 - 3 cm wide, the margins entire
or irregularly serrulate
. The upper surfaces of both are generally glabrescent
. The yellow leafy-bracted
inflorescences are 6 - 25 cm long, comprising sessile
or short pedunculate
heads 1 - 3 cm in diameter, each with 10 - 35 flowers. The scent of the flowers is generally regarded as unpleasant, 'like ammonia
but sweeter'.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, the extreme south of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, northern Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
and much of central and northern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
excluding the Chihuahua Desert. The shrub grows in thorn savannah
Savannah
Savannah or savanna is a type of grassland.It can also mean:-People:* Savannah King, a Canadian freestyle swimmer* Savannah Outen, a singer who gained popularity on You Tube...
, forests, riparian woodland, along roadsides and in disturbed areas from sea level to 2,800 m. The species was first named and described by Kunth
Carl Sigismund Kunth
Carl Sigismund Kunth , also Karl Sigismund Kunth or anglicized as Charles Sigismund Kunth, was a German botanist...
in 1818.
Description
B. sessiliflora is a trioecious shrub or small tree 1.5 - 5 m tall, the trunk reaching < 7 cm diameter, its fissured bark yellowish-brown. The young branches are subquadrangular, yellowish, the youngest sections tomentoseTomentum
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...
. The leaves vary widely, those at the base ovate
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
, 9 - 23 cm long by 5 - 14 cm wide, the margins serrate
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
, whilst the upper leaves are 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...
or narrowly elliptic
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
, 5 - 15 cm long by 1.5 - 3 cm wide, the margins entire
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
or irregularly serrulate
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
. The upper surfaces of both are generally glabrescent
Glabrousness
Glabrousness is the technical term for an anatomically atypical lack of hair, down, or similar structures...
. The yellow leafy-bracted
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
inflorescences are 6 - 25 cm long, comprising sessile
Sessility (botany)
In botany, sessility is a characteristic of plants whose flowers or leaves are borne directly from the stem or peduncle, and thus lack a petiole or pedicel...
or short pedunculate
Peduncle (botany)
In botany, a peduncle is a stem supporting an inflorescence, or after fecundation, an infructescence.The peduncle is a stem, usually green and without leaves, though sometimes colored or supporting small leaves...
heads 1 - 3 cm in diameter, each with 10 - 35 flowers. The scent of the flowers is generally regarded as unpleasant, 'like ammonia
Ammonia
Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . It is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or...
but sweeter'.