Botanical Name: Buddleja globosa
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Genus: Buddleja
Species: B. globosa
Synonyms:
*Buddleia globosa
*Buddleja capitata Jacq.
*Buddleja connata Ruíz & Pav.
*Buddleja globifera Duhamel
Common Names: Orange-ball-tree, Orange ball buddleja, and Matico
Habitat: Buddleia globosa is native to S. America – Argentina, Chile, Peru. It is found at altitudes up to 2000 metres.
Description:
Buddleja globosa is a large shrub to 5 m (16 ft) tall, with grey fissured bark. The young branches are subquadrangular and tomentose, bearing sessile or subsessile lanceolate or elliptic leaves 5–15 cm long by 2–6 cm wide, glabrescent and bullate above and tomentose below. The deep-yellow to orange leafy-bracted inflorescences comprise one terminal and < 7 pairs of pedunculate globose heads, 1.2–2.8 cm in diameter, each with 30–50 flowers, heavily honey-scented. Ploidy: 2n = 38 (diploid).
In common with many New World Buddlejaceae species B. globosa is dioecious: although the flowers appear hermaphrodite in having both male and female parts, only the anthers or pistils are functional in a single plant (:’cryptically dioecious.
Cultivation:
Requires a sunny position. Prefers a rich loamy well-drained soil. Very tolerant of alkaline soils. Grows well by the sea, tolerating maritime exposure. Plants are hardy to about -15°c if they are sheltered from cold winds. They resprout freely from the base if cut back by cold weather and are deciduous in cold winters. Plants flower on the previous year’s growth. The flowers scent the air for a considerable distance with their sweet honey-like fragrance.
Medicinal Uses:
Folk medicine attributes to B. globosa wound healing properties, and the infusion of the leaves is used topically for the treatment or wounds, burns and external and internal ulcers. Chemical studies of this species have allowed to isolate glycosidic flavonoids, phenylethanoids including verbascoside, iridoids, triterpenoids, di and sesquiterpenoid s
One report says that it is cultivated as a medicinal plant in S. America.
Other Uses:
Buddleja globosa was first introduced to the United Kingdom from Chile in 1774, and is now commonly grown as an ornamental and landscape shrub in temperate regions. Unlike B. davidii, introduced over a century later, B. globosa is not invasive owing to its wingless seeds.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddleja_globosa
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Buddleia+globosa
