Buddleja vexans Kraenzl. & Loes. ex E.M.Norman

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Buddlejaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Buddleja vexans Kraenzl. & Loes. ex E.M.Norman

  • Type

    Type. Peru. Junín: 21.5 km S of Hun-cayo, 1 km N of Pampa Cruz, 3550 m, Hutchison & Tovar 4189 (holotype, F; isotypes, GH, MO, NY, P, S, US).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Arbores 3-5 m altae, truncis ad 30 cm diam, cortice pallide brunnea fissurata, ramis teretibus, tomentosis. Foliae petiolus 3-7 mm longus, lineis stipularibus conspicuis, lamina ellip-tica 4.5-8 x 1—2.3(—3) cm, coriácea, supra glabra, rugosa, infra dense tomentosa, ápice basique plerque acuta, aliquando acinata, margine subintegra vel persubtiliter crenulata. Inflo-rescentiae paniculatae vel racemoseae 5-12 x 5-9 cm, rami-ficationis ordine 1-2, floribus in capita 1.5-2 cm diam, 16-20-flora aggregatis, capitibus pluribus aliquando coalitis; rami principales bracteis, ei basales foliis, capita bracteolis fil-iformibus flores aequantibus subtenda. Calyx tubularis, extra tomentosus, tubo 3.4-4 mm, lobis 1-1.5 mm longis, acutis. Corolla aurea aurantiacescens, tubulari-hypocrateriformis, extra tomentosa et glandularis, intra pilis paucis verrucatis in 2/3 superioribus tubi provisa, tubo 4.3-5 mm longo, lobis orbicularibus 1.2-1.5 x 2.1-2.5 mm. Stamina sessilia 1.5 mm infra sinus inserta, antheribus 1 mm longis. Ovari ovoide, 2-3 mm long tomentos, stylo 2-2.5 mm longo, stigmate clavato 0.7-1 mm longo. Fructus maturi non suppetentes.

  • Discussion

    An infusion of leaves yields a yellow-tan dye (de Mayolo 75).

    The epithet vexans was proposed by Kraenzlin and Loesener based on Weberbauer 2628 but has remained unpublished. This species probably represents hybrids between Buddleja coriacea and B. incana. The leaves are intermediate in size but the venation pattern and tomentum thickness is more typical of the later species. The stellate hairs in B. coriacea are 10-12-armed, those of B. incana are 4-8-armed, while in B. vexans they are 8-armed. The corolla dimensions are also intermediate but the shape is more similar to B. coriácea. Another reason for thinking that this is a hybrid taxon is that no pollen has been found in any flowers and that although Brunei 434 has young fruits, the ovules are not enlarged. Even though this species appears to be sterile, it deserves recognition as it is quite common in areas of overlap between the two putative parents. The plants are very handsome due to their contrasting colored leaves, dark green above and white beneath, and their beautiful golden-orange, very fragrant balls of flowers. I saw several plants of this species in cultivation in gardens near Huncayo in 1977.

    Since there has been interest in reforestation with both B. incana and B. coriacea, the putative parents, it is likely that B. vexans has also been used in this way. It is because of this potential or actual commercial usage that I have proposed to legitimize the name, B. vexans, here.

  • Common Names

    kiswar, kusi-kiswar, quiswar, quigar, cescuar

  • Distribution

    Central Peru at alt. of 3300-3900 m, along roadsides and stream banks and cliffs. Flowering collections have been made in February, April, May, July, and December.

    Peru South America| Cusco Peru South America| Huancavelica Peru South America| Junín Peru South America|