Phenological Growth Stages of Buddleja saligna Willd. According to the BBCH Scale

Abstract

Buddleja saligna Willd. is an evergreen tree native to South Africa. Historically, the tree has been used for the treatment of various diseases and has been scientifically found to have promising pharmacological effects. In the current study, the phenological growth stages of B. saligna are characterised according to the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale standardised coding. A total of eight out of ten principal growth stages have been described for the development of buds, leaves and shoots, inflorescence emergence, flowering, the development and ripening of fruits, and senescence. A total of thirty-three secondary growth stages were identified and described in detail. Illustrative images with codification have been provided to better define and describe the growth stages. The temperature fluctuations during the study period could have influenced the flowering time, as phenological shifts were observed during the study period. These data are a useful reference for efficient management, cultivation, and scientific research.