Buddleja davidii Butterfly-bush

Buddleja davidii, Butterfly-bush, is a familiar shrub which is widely distributed and frequent throughout most of Britain. Although largely deciduous, many bushes retain young leaves throughout the winter in the milder climates of the west. It produces long dense spikes of small, strongly-scented, nectiferous purple (or white) flowers in Summer, which are very attractive to bees and butterflies, particularly Vanessids and Dark-green Fritillaries, hence its common name. Although this has gained it a popular image, it is, nevertheless, an invasive non native species which can form large populations in open mosaic habitats. It is also a familar species on walls, pavements, monuments, along railways and around disused buildings. In all of these places it can become a significant nuissance. Originally introduced as a garden plant in 1896, it was first reported wild in Britain (in Harlech, Merionethshire) in 1922 and has undergone a rapid spread in the British flora in the last 100 years. It is widespread and locally common in West Glamorgan, particularly near the coast, but it is uncommon in Gower. It extends inland along forest tracks in Neath Port Talbot.

Neophyte