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Buddleja asiatica

Lour. (1790)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Scrophulariaceae Genus: Buddleja

butterfly bush, dog tail, huelo ‘īlio, huelo ‘ïlio [huelo ilio]

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs or sometimes small trees 1–7 m tall, covered with stellate and often glandular hairs.

Stems: Stems densely appressed pubescent when young.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite, becoming alternate above. Blades oblong to ovate or lanceolate, 4–30 cm long, 0.7–7 cm wide. Surfaces usually glabrous, occasionally densely pubescent. Margins remotely serrate–dentate to subentire. Petioles 0.7–1 cm long, connected by an inconspicuous stipular line. Stipules rare, leafy or perfoliate when present.

Flowers: Flowers in terminal and axillary, thyrsoid or spiciform cymes. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx campanulate, 2–4.5 mm long, cleft ⅓–½ its length, ± densely tomentose. Corolla white, sometimes pale purple or greenish, 3.5–6 mm long, the lobes 1–1.5 mm long, stellate pubescent externally and wooly pubescent in the tube. Stamens 4, adnate to corolla tube, included, rarely exserted, equal; filaments glabrous, staminode 0. Ovary superior, ovoid to narrowly ovoid, 1--1.5 x 0.8--1 mm, glabrous or scaly. Style short; stigma capitate.

Fruit: Septicidal capsules; 2-valved; dry; dehiscent; ovoid to oblong–ovoid; somewhat flattened; 3–5 mm long. Seeds ellipsoid; ca. 1 mm long; both ends with a short wing.

Ploidy: 2n = 30; 38

Habitat: Naturalized in mesic to wet; primarily disturbed areas; on lava and cinder; and in wet forest.

Elevation Range: 100–1,200 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Wind

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Fl. Cochinch.: 72 (1790)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:415 (O, Mo, M, H [as Buddleia asiatica]); Oppenheimer & Bartlett 2002:5 (L); Wood 2006:16 (K); IPNI 2025 (spelling change to Buddleja)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Buddleja asiatica Kawaiiki ditch trail, Koolau range Preserved_Specimen Skottsberg, C.J.F. 205 Oahu BISH 1922-08-15
2 Buddleja asiatica Honolulu, Palolo Valley Preserved_Specimen MacDaniels, L.H. 170 Oahu BISH 1927-01-01
3 Buddleja asiatica Kawailoa Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2097 Oahu BISH 1905-03-02
4 Buddleja asiatica Kamakou Preserve, along trail from tunnel on E fork Kawela Intake to Puu Kolekole Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5434 Molokai BISH 1984-07-18
5 Buddleja asiatica Koolau range, Kahana, Waikane-Schofield trail Preserved_Specimen Chock, A.K. 181 Oahu BISH 1950-04-30
6 Buddleja asiatica Punaluu, Koolau Mt Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 556 Oahu BISH 1908-11-21
7 Buddleja asiatica [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Preserved_Specimen Adee, K.T. Oahu BISH
8 Buddleja asiatica on road to Pohue bay from subdivision Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10213 Hawaii BISH 1984-03-26
9 Buddleja asiatica Munro Trail Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 109929 Lanai BISH 1999-10-25
10 Buddleja asiatica Waimanalo Preserved_Specimen Livermore, K. Oahu BISH 1933-06-01
11 Buddleja asiatica Waimea District. Kokee State Park. Camp 10 Road next to Kawaikoi campground. Preserved_Specimen Cassel, K. Kauai BISH 2004-11-19
12 Buddleja asiatica Punaluu Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1908-11-14
13 Buddleja asiatica Summit of Hualalai Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1909-02-12
14 Buddleja asiatica Kaala Preserved_Specimen Faurie, A. 541 Oahu BISH 1909-11-01
15 Buddleja asiatica Kamokuiki valley Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. 768 Oahu BISH 1933-04-13
16 Buddleja asiatica Hauula, Koolau Mts Preserved_Specimen Krauss, N.H. Oahu BISH 1934-01-06
17 Buddleja asiatica On side of Waikane-Schofield trail, Koolau Mts., Kahana Preserved_Specimen Tsuji, N. Oahu BISH 1932-10-16
18 Buddleja asiatica Manoa, head of valley, on moutainside Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1932-03-20
19 Buddleja asiatica Manoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Oahu BISH 1924-12-21
20 Buddleja asiatica Kalihi Valley. Lateral ridge on Kalihi-Ft. Shafter trail Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1945-08-13
21 Buddleja asiatica Koolau Mts. between Punaluu and Kaipapau Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1908-11-14
22 Buddleja asiatica western wall of Kilauea crater Preserved_Specimen Bender Jr., V.R. Hawaii BISH 1952-11-22
23 Buddleja asiatica Punaluu, Castle trail from Punaluu to Kaluanui valley and stream on E side on Northern Koolaus Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 1458 Oahu BISH 1956-11-25
24 Buddleja asiatica Peacock Flat area, Waianae Mts Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 3078 Oahu BISH 1973-08-11
25 Buddleja asiatica in valley of ridge leading to main ridge, Ft. Shafter trail Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 8 Oahu BISH 1945-08-13
26 Buddleja asiatica Waikane-Schofield trail, Koolauloa upper rain forest Preserved_Specimen Baker, R.J. 245 Oahu BISH 1932-10-16
27 Buddleja asiatica Kawainui Stream, about 8 mi E. of Haleiwa scattered at roadside Preserved_Specimen Shrub 15', 2 diam. Corolla white. Little Jr., E.L. 31282 Oahu BISH 1978-10-08
28 Buddleja asiatica ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District Growing on the mauka side of the Puna Trail in an area exposed to direct sunlight. Preserved_Specimen Kubo, R. 10 Hawaii BISH 1979-03-08
29 Buddleja asiatica Kaluaa gulch, Waianae Mts Native forest with Charpentiera (2 kinds), Cyrtandra, Pouteria, Psychotria, some Perrottetia, Strongylodon, Pipturus, Cibotium, and others Preserved_Specimen Sohmer, S.H. 6436 Oahu BISH 1970-05-27
30 Buddleja asiatica N Halawa Valley Disturbed roadside, common. Preserved_Specimen Large 1-2 m shrub Lennstrom, H. 1994132 Oahu BISH 1994-09-27
31 Buddleja asiatica Pahole Gulch, Waialua, Waianae Mts. Small gully at head of S section of gulch with Pisonia and Psidium, on gulch floor Preserved_Specimen shrub to 10', 2 dbh Nagata, K.M. 1568 Oahu BISH 1978-02-07
32 Buddleja asiatica Makaleha Valley, Waianae Range kukui grove Preserved_Specimen shrub Hume, E.P. 418 Oahu BISH 1931-12-13
33 Buddleja asiatica Lanai City; Puulani Pl. Spreading along roadside under cook pines; growing with Araucaria columnaris and other residential plants Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 7040309 Lanai BISH 2007-04-03
34 Buddleja asiatica Waianae Range, Makua Keaau Forest Reserve mesic forest Preserved_Specimen shrub to 2.5 m; flowers white Annable, C.R. 3084 Oahu BISH 1996-10-25
35 Buddleja asiatica Stainback Hwy. 6.2 miles from junction w/Hwy 11 near Unit G w/grasses, Pluchea, Melastoma along roadside Preserved_Specimen Leaves lanceolate, opposite. Spikes pendant, many flowered. Flowers small, white Ishikawa, S. 225 Hawaii BISH 1973-01-13
36 Buddleja asiatica Hanalei District. West Hanakapiai, northeast of Pihea Metrosideros-Cheirodendron forest 5-8 m tall, steep slopes of Dicranopteris, Diplopterygium, & Sticherus, dissected by riparian vegetation. W/ Broussaisia, Myrsine spp, Leptecophylla, Smilax, Syzygium, Stenogyne, Astelia, Vaccinium spp, Melicope clusiifolia, M. kavaiensis, Cibotium spp, Sadleria spp, Athyrium microphyllum, Lobelia villos Preserved_Specimen tree, 4 m tall, with flower and imamture seed Wood, K.R. 14318 Kauai BISH 2010-09-28
37 Buddleja asiatica 2nd gulch E. of Puu Kaupakuhale, NE slope of Puu Kaala, Mokuleia occasional, moist woods near stream bed Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12129 Oahu BISH 1932-12-23
38 Buddleja asiatica ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District The plant is common in the fallow fields of the area and can also be found along the side of the dirt roads. The plants grow exposed to direct sunlight on stoney soil composed mostly of crushed `a`a. Preserved_Specimen The plants get to about 2 meters in height. Yoshida, L. 79.052 Hawaii BISH 1979-02-28
39 Buddleja asiatica Kau, Kilauea forest reserve, along trail from IBP study site open condition Preserved_Specimen Medium shrub ~3-4 m. Inflorescences with small white flowers Herat, T. 1003 Hawaii BISH 1974-07-08
40 Buddleja asiatica Along road leading to Kaluanui Valley In old sugar cane field. Preserved_Specimen Weed. Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1978-03-21
41 Buddleja asiatica Waipio deserted pineapple field Preserved_Specimen shrub with slender dropping branches and fragrant white flowers. Foliage dull, medium green above, gray below. Herbst, D.R. 690 Oahu BISH 1967-11-08
42 Buddleja asiatica Keauhou Ranch, Kau District Growing in bulldozed area with `a`a substrate beside Pu`u O`o road. Preserved_Specimen Height 2 ft. Flowers white. Cuddihy, L.W. 118 Hawaii BISH 1980-01-08
43 Buddleja asiatica Punaluu by stream Preserved_Specimen shrub 10075 Oahu BISH 1929-11-30
44 Buddleja asiatica Kapuna Gulch Along Mokuleia trail. Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 68 Oahu BISH 1988-11-13
45 Buddleja asiatica Kuliouou forest Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. 1532 Oahu BISH 1931-02-05
46 Buddleja asiatica throughout Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District Found within the disturbed areas. Common near the roadside. Preserved_Specimen The plant has been observed growing to a height of 10 ft. Clarke, G. 79.22 Hawaii BISH 1979-03-08
47 Buddleja asiatica Waiakea FR, Puu Makaala access rd., off Stainback Hwy Metrosideros rain forest Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4839 Hawaii BISH 1983-07-26
48 Buddleja asiatica Nuuanu Pali Dr. Above where the housing development ends Roadside, shaded, moist Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 1909 Oahu BISH 2021-05-29
49 Buddleja asiatica Kamakou Preserve E side of Kawela Ridge, due SW of Puu o Kaeha low wet forest with Metrosideros dominant on lower slopes and valley bottom, with Styphelia/Dodonaea shrubland on upper slopes and ridgetops. Naturalized locally along river Preserved_Specimen Slender treelet 1-1.5 m, corolla white, fruits green Lorence, D.H. 5609 Molokai BISH 1987-10-21
50 Buddleja asiatica Kahana Valley, Koolau Mts., ditch trail wet forest Preserved_Specimen bush 1-2 m; flowers white Fosberg, F.R. 10413 Oahu BISH 1933-11-26
51 Buddleja asiatica Koolau Mts., Laie-Malaekahana ridge weed by trail Preserved_Specimen 4' shrub St.John, H. 13052 Oahu BISH 1933-04-15
52 Buddleja asiatica Palaau on W side of Molokai airport pineapple field; dry, exposed, windy Preserved_Specimen much branched shrub with white flowers Herbst, D.R. 5094 Molokai BISH 1974-11-11
53 Buddleja asiatica top of Mt. Kaala, crest just SE of radar towers, near road Dripping wet, locally swampy moss and fern coved cloud forest of gnarled 3-5 m Metrisideros collina, Cheirodendron platyphylla, Broussaisia arguta, Cibotium spp., Coprosma, and Styphelia Preserved_Specimen bad weed van Royen, P. 424 Oahu BISH 1967-08-02
54 Buddleja asiatica down Hilina Pali Road about 4.9 miles to begiinning of Footprints Trail (heading W towards Mauna Loa. 3.5 miles down trail to ~50m W (below) the great fault pali. Plot 59 Extremely sparse desert community on shifting ash dunes; old pahoehoe lave covered with shifting black ash Preserved_Specimen young shrub ~6 , heavily browsed by goats Newell, C.L. 751 Hawaii BISH 1966-09-02
55 Buddleja asiatica Mokaha Valley, Koolau range Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2077 Oahu BISH 1909-02-12
56 Buddleja asiatica Kipapa Gulch, Koolau Mt wet region, near river side Preserved_Specimen Koike, M. Oahu BISH 1931-02-15
57 Buddleja asiatica Mt. Kalena, Waianae Metrosideros forest Preserved_Specimen 4' herb Grant, M.L. 7398 Oahu BISH 1934-09-30
58 Buddleja asiatica Head of Kahana Valley, Hauula For Res stream Preserved_Specimen 10' shrub St.John, H. 13406 Oahu BISH 1933-10-10
59 Buddleja asiatica Kahana, Koolau Mts., Waikane-Schofield trail steep bank beside trail Preserved_Specimen two leaf forms growing together, one plant with both forms of leaves Fosberg, F.R. 8763 Oahu BISH 1933-10-16
60 Buddleja asiatica ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District, on the side of the Puna Trail Growing on the mauka side of the trail in an area exposed to direct sunlight. Preserved_Specimen Kubo, R. 10 Hawaii BISH 1979-03-08
61 Buddleja asiatica Keauhou Ranch, Kau District, beside Puu oo road Growing in bulldozed area with `a`a substrate beside road. Preserved_Specimen Height 2 ft. Flowers white. Cuddihy, L.W. 118 Hawaii BISH 1980-01-08
62 Buddleja asiatica By Kaluinui Stream Next to abandonded sugar cane fields. Preserved_Specimen Weed. Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1978-05-18
63 Buddleja asiatica Maunawili gravel Preserved_Specimen Cooke Jr., C.M. 8 Oahu BISH 1928-03-12
64 Buddleja asiatica Kipapa -Waiawa Ridge, Waipio Metrosideros Forest Preserved_Specimen 5' shrub Grant, M.L. 7247 Oahu BISH 1934-08-07
65 Buddleja asiatica 27 miles, Volcano in rainforest. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 34425 Hawaii BISH 1977-08-01
66 Buddleja asiatica Palolo-Manoa ridge Preserved_Specimen Herbaceous plant, 1 m MacDaniels, L.H. 133 Oahu BISH 1926-12-21
67 Buddleja asiatica Punaluu, Koolau Range wet mt. slope Preserved_Specimen Tanaka, Y. Oahu BISH 1929-11-20
68 Buddleja asiatica Kalaupapa; trail, between switchback 2 and 4 Preserved_Specimen subshrub Wysong, M.L. 634 Molokai BISH 2005-02-20
69 Buddleja asiatica Olaa; Olaa Forest Reserve, Site 32 OS Ohia-treefern dieback. Soil a deep moderately well drained ash found on an unknown substrate. Primary vegetation: Metrosideros polymorpha, Coprosma spp., Ilex anomala, Myrisne lessertiana, Gouldia sp., Cheirodendron trigynum & Psidium cattleianum. Preserved_Specimen Adee, K.T. Hawaii BISH 1979-06-14
70 Buddleja asiatica Waianae Mts., Mt Kaala, along cable line and on summit by Army camp Preserved_Specimen weed St.John, H. 22273 Oahu BISH 1946-11-17
71 Buddleja asiatica Kunia Preserved_Specimen Woody branched herb; 0.6 m. Flower white. Ruderal Swarbrick, J.T. 0.56 Oahu BISH 1976-01-07
72 Buddleja asiatica Vicinity of Manoa Falls Preserved_Specimen calyx green; corolla white; fruit green, becoming brown wirh age; bush ~5 ft. Crosby, M.R. 1381 Oahu BISH 1964-06-15
73 Buddleja asiatica East Maui, Lower Shelf of Kipahulu Valley in Palikea stream below Delta Falls Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 2318 Maui BISH 2012-10-16
74 Buddleja asiatica Kipapa gulch, Koolau Mts stream bed Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 785 Oahu BISH 1932-10-16
75 Buddleja asiatica National Park, near Little Begger spatter cone, Kilauea Crater Preserved_Specimen shrub, 3. Fagerlund, G.O. 498 Hawaii BISH 1943-04-23
76 Buddleja asiatica Puu Kanehoa, Waianae Mts moist gully Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 355 Oahu BISH 1931-03-22
77 Buddleja asiatica On side of Waikane-Schofield trail, Waikane Ditch House, Waikane Preserved_Specimen shrub ~4 ft. Yoshioka, T. Oahu BISH 1933-12-10
78 Buddleja asiatica Oahu Forest NWR, Koa ridge, above Mililani Mauka. Site of October 30, 2023 fire. On ridge, edge of burned area, full sun, moist, formerly dominated by uluhe. Associated; Miconia crenata, Acacia koa, Trema orientale, Falcataria falcata, Heliocarpus americanus, Budleja asiatica, Erigeron sumatrensis, Rubus rosifolius, Andropogon virginicus Preserved_Specimen Arthur, K. 51 Oahu BISH 2025-02-10
79 Buddleja asiatica Top of Mt. Olympus Ridge beginning of rain forest; wet; vegetation heavy Preserved_Specimen Horner, J.M. 9651 Oahu BISH 1927-02-12
80 Buddleja asiatica Kawaiiki ditch trail, Koolau range Preserved_Specimen Shrub ~4', with white flowers Herat, T. 390 Oahu BISH 1973-07-02
81 Buddleja asiatica Kawaiiki Ditch trail, Kawailoa, Koolau Range Preserved_Specimen Ozaki, E.T. 166 Oahu BISH 1953-01-18
82 Buddleja asiatica Punaluu, Koolau Mt Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 556 Oahu BISH 1908-11-21
83 Buddleja asiatica Along Castle Trail (#41 of forest reserve trails and summit trail #34). Trail begins about 1 mile from a plantation cable on road leading off Kam Hwy at Punaluu Superette Store Preserved_Specimen Sohmer, S.H. 6035 Oahu BISH 1969-01-01
84 Buddleja asiatica Honolulu Zoo, mauka of lion exhibit Preserved_Specimen Small tree approx. 15 feet with attractive twisted trunk; flws whitish Smith, R.F. Oahu BISH 1995-09-07
85 Buddleja asiatica 47 mi SW of Hilo on State Route 11, SW of Volcanoes National Park Preserved_Specimen Miller, J.S. 7953 Hawaii BISH 1992-08-06
86 Buddleja asiatica Wahiawa-Waikane Preserved_Specimen Topping, D.L. 3054 Oahu BISH 1925-03-08
87 Buddleja asiatica On side of Waikane-Schofield trail, 1st pass to main divide Preserved_Specimen Suehiro, A. 16.1932 Oahu BISH 1932-10-16
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