| Buddleja amendment |
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| Introduction |
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A complete phaseout of butterfly bush, Buddleja davidii, from the Oregon nursery industry is scheduled for the end of 2009. Recent development of sterile hybrid varieties allows the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to meet the objective of protecting the environment from this invasive plant while allowing nurseries to continue to sell, and residents to enjoy a 'type' of butterfly bush.
ODA’s noxious weed quarantine reads Butterfly Bush – Buddleja davidii/varabilis* (*Until December 31, 2009, plants are allowed to be imported and grown in licensed nurseries, but plants must not be allowed to go to seed, including stock plants. Plants shall not be sold in the State of Oregon. After that date, all prohibitions apply (no importation, propagation, or sale).
The Oregon Department of Agriculture plans on amending the existing noxious weed quarantine this fall to incorporate some or all of the policies listed below. Contact information for those wishing to comment is also listed below.
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| Clarification on hybrid varieties |
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Inter-specific hybrids, such as Buddleia davidii var. nonhoensis X B. asiatica ‘Asian Moon,’ are not regulated and may be propagated and sold without restriction (distinct labeling required; see labeling requirements listed below).
In order to facilitate trade and acceptance, ODA will maintain a list of approved sterile inter-specific hybrid varieties that meet strict criteria for sterility. Approved sterile varieties are genetically different from Buddleia davidii. They produce little or no viable seed and they cannot revert to B. davidii. ODA believes that the chance that they will become invasive is extremely low.
Hybrids that do not meet the criteria for sterility may be regulated in the future and ODA discourages their use.
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| Criteria for approved sterile varieties |
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The following criteria must be met for approved sterile varieties of Buddleja. A list of approved varieties will be maintained by the ODA.
- Variety is an inter-specific hybrid and is triploid based on chromosome counts and/or flow cytometry, or
- Variety is a complex hybrid (parentage includes more than two species), or
- Variety fertility is reduced by at least 98% (seed production is less than 0.4 seeds/capsule (normal = 20/capsule) or seed viability is less than 2%. Note: fertility tests must be done in the presence of abundant pollen donors and pollinators.
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| Approved Sterile Variety List |
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Varieties of Buddleja will be added to the approved list only if:
- They have been tested by independent researcher(s), results have been published in a referred journal, and the variety meets the criteria for sterility,
- They have been evaluated by Oregon State University (OSU) and meet the criteria for sterility. Contact: Jim Owen or Ryan Contreras, OSU
The current approved list will be available soon.
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| Label requirements |
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Common names can be confusing for customers and a nightmare for regulators. In order to improve clarity and facilitate enforcement, ODA is adopting these standards for labeling:
- Butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii, and Buddleia varabilis. Butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii, and Buddleia varabilis are prohibited and subject to stop sale orders. Plants labeled 'Butterfly Bush' will be assumed to be B. davidii and will also be subject to a stop sale order.
- Inter-specific hybrids (not evaluated or not meeting criteria for sterility). Inter-specific hybrids must include the parentage on the label, e.g. Buddleia davidii var. nonhoensis X B. asiatica. These plants must not be labeled 'Butterfly Bush'. ODA suggests: 'Nectar Bush', but other common names are acceptable.
- Sterile Inter-specific hybrids (meeting criteria for sterility). These plants must not be labeled 'Butterfly Bush'. ODA suggests: 'Seedless Butterfly Bush' but other common names are acceptable. Varieties on the ODA approved sterile list may also be labeled: 'ODA Approved Sterile' and/or 'Non-invasive'.
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| Comments |
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The ODA plans on amending the existing noxious weed quarantine, OAR 603-052-1200, this fall to incorporate some or all of the above policies. Anyone wishing to comment on these policies should send their comments by e-mail to Dan Hilburn (503-986-4636) or Gary McAninch (503-986-4644).
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