Practical
Plants

Buddleia officinalis

Mi Meng Hua

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Buddleia genus in the family Buddleiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees, Lepidoptera
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Febrifuge[5][7][9]. The flowers and flower buds are antispasmodic, slightly cholagogue and ophthalmic[8]. They have an action similar to vitamin P, reducing the permeability and fragility of the blood vessels of the skin and small intestine[8]. They are used in the treatment of various eye problems[8][13]. They are also used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, hepatitis and hernia[13]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of collyrium[13]. Also used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, hepatitis and hernia[13].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Ophthalmic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - western China.
Habitat
River valleys of Szechwan in dry rocky areas to 1000 metres[9]. Cliffs, scrub and waste places at elevations up to 1,000 metres[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - cold stratify for 4 weeks at 4°c[4] and surface sow the seed in February/March in a greenhouse[16][3] (the pre-chilling might not be required for this species). Germination usually takes place within 3 - 4 weeks at 21°c[4]. 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[16]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[2][3]. Use short side-shoots[16]. Very high percentage[3]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm long, October/November in a frame[12].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a sunny position[2][10]. Prefers a rich loamy soil but succeeds in most well-drained soils[1][2][12]. Very tolerant of alkaline soils[12]. Requires a site sheltered from the wind because the leaves are easily damaged[14]. Tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[11], this species is hardy in Cornwall[2][6] but not in most parts of Britain[1]. It resprouts freely from the base if cut back by severe weather[12]. A very ornamental plant[1], it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[12]. Plants flower on the current years growth and can be pruned back hard in spring to encourage freer flowering[10]. An excellent plant for bees and butterflies[15]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  6. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  7. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩

  8. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  10. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  11. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  13. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2

  15. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  16. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page