buddleia

plural buddleias

1. A tree or shrub of the genus Buddleja, of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, especially Buddleja davidii, a large ornamental shrub whose lilac flowers attract butterflies.

   At the foot of the garden, behind a clump of gooseberry-bushes, stood an arbour formed of a yellow buddleia.

   1917, Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix

   1 more example

   But there is one fly in the ointment, which is only too evident at Queen Street and Central... buddleia. […] It became a popular garden plant in the 20th century, when a Chinese variant (Buddleia Davidii ^([sic])) was introduced. That's when the trouble started. The plant has spread like wildfire since. Its fast-growing invasive nature and survivability is a huge problem for the railways, as (left alone) it can cause serious, expensive damage to structures, block drivers sightlines, or pose a risk to lineside workers.

   2024 November 13, Paul Bigland, “Much to admire... but pockets of neglect”, in RAIL, number 1022, page 49

   Synonyms: butterfly bush