Buddleja cordobensis Griseb.

  • Authority

    Norman, E. M. 2000. Buddlejaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 81: 1-225. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Buddlejaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Buddleja cordobensis Griseb.

  • Type

    Type. Argentina. Córdoba: Bordering Río Primero, Nov 1870, Lorentz 380 (lectotype, here designated, K; isolectotypes, BM, CORD).

  • Synonyms

    Buddleja intermedia Kunth

  • Description

    Species Description - Dioecious, densely branched shrub, 1-2 m tall, with gray fissured bark, young branches terete, tomentose. Leaves with petiole 3-4 mm long, stipular lines conspicuous, blades lanceolate, 2-6(-8) x 0.5-1.2(-2) cm, coriaceous, thickly tomentose on both surfaces; apex acuminate, base acute, rarely obtuse, margin entire. Inflorescence with one terminal head and up to 9 pairs of subsessile or short-pedunculate heads in the axils of very reduced leaves, penduncles 0-1 cm, progressively shorter towards apex, each head with 12-25 flowers, 0.6-1 cm diam. Calyx tubular, thickly tomentose outside, tube 2-3 mm long, lobes 0.5-1 mm long, acute, margin obscured by tomentum. Corolla deep yellow, fading to beige, salverform, tomentose outside, with warty hairs inside in upper portion of tube, tube 3-4 mm long, lobes orbicular 1-1.5 x 1.5-2.2 mm. Stamens sessile, inserted 0.7-1 mm below sinus, anthers 0.7-1 mm long. Ovary 1.5-2 mm long, tomentose, style 1.5-2 mm long, stigma clavate 0.7-0.9 mm long. Capsule ovoid, 2.7-3.5 x 2.5-3 mm, tomentulose on upper half, dehiscing septicidally and loculicidally at apex, valves obtuse. Seeds type 5, oblong, 0.9-1 x 0.3-0.4 mm, wingless, seed body 0.75-0.9 mm long.

  • Discussion

    Decoctions of this species have been used to wash wounds and also in childbirth to prevent hemorrhage (Hieronymus, 1882).

    Buddleja cordobensis is closely related to B. aromática and B. araucana. It differs from B. aromática in having short-petiolate leaves, which are acuminate at the tip; inflorescences with greater numbers of heads, deep yellow flowers; shorter calyx lobes; broader and more reflexed corolla lobes; stamens that are inserted closer to the throat; smaller capsules; and wingless seeds. Differences from B. araucana will be discussed under that species.

    Some specimens may indicate hybridization with Buddleja mendozensis. In these collections the leaves are linear, 2-4 x 0.3-0.5 cm, tomentose on both surfaces, and the inflorescences are intermediate between the two putative parents, as in the following collections from Argentina: CÓRDOBA: Colón, Desnil y La Calera, Galetto et al. 69 (CORD); near Orcosu & Yerba Buena, dept, de las Elinas, Hieronymus 414 (CORD, F, US); Churqui, Canada, Maldonado 149 (GH). San LUÍS: Sierra del Gigante, near La Calera, Hunziker & Maldonado 16261 (CORD, F).

  • Common Names

    palo blanco, salvilora, salvia de la hora

  • Distribution

    Grows on dry hillsides in scrub vegetation in the Argentinian provinces of Córdoba, San Luís, and La Rioja at 700-1500 m. Flowering from September to March, fruiting specimens available from November to January.

    Argentina South America| Córdoba Argentina South America| La Rioja Argentina South America| San Luis Argentina South America|