Buddleia

/bʌˈdliːə/ noun

Definition

A flowering shrub with long spikes of colorful flowers (usually purple, pink, or white) that attracts butterflies and is also called butterfly bush.

Etymology

Named in honor of Adam Buddle, an 18th-century English botanist and clergyman, following the Linnaean naming convention of creating plant genus names from people's names. The plant itself is native to Asia.

Kelly Says

Buddleia was named to honor a botanist, yet the plant became notorious as an invasive species in many countries—it's so good at spreading that it's now considered a pest in the UK and other regions, a cautionary tale about importing 'ornamental' plants!

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