Pavetta australiensis

Pavetta australiensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Rubiaceae
Genus:	Pavetta
Species:	P. australiensis
Binomial name
Pavetta australiensis Bremek.

Pavetta australiensis, commonly known as Butterfly Bush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae, found in drier rainforest areas in north eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Pavetta australiensis is a small rounded shrub that grows up to 4 meters in height, characterized by its soft, green leaves. The species is notable for its triangular stipules that are prominent on branchlets and persist on stems, and its terminal buds that are shiny in appearance. The leaves are opposite, dark green, and have a softly succulent look.

Butterfly bush produces showy, white, and perfumed flowers in dense clusters up to 10 cm across, which typically appear in October and November. The flowers are highly ornamental and moderately fast-growing.

The shrub bears globose fruit up to 8 mm in diameter, which are initially green and turn black upon ripening. The fruit usually appears in February and March.

Habitat

This shrub is typically found in drier rainforest margins and along creeks and gullies in Australia and Papua New Guinea, and it thrives in full sun or part shade.

Etymology

The genus name pavetta is derived from the Sinhalese name for the plant, Pavetta indica. The species epithet australiensis combines "Australia" and the Latin suffix "-ensis," meaning "belonging to."[1]

Ecology

Pavetta Australiensis is highly attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies, which is where is gets the name “butterfly bush”. In Australia, it is viewed as a better alternative to introduced species, such as buddleja davidii.