Slightly toxic to humans and animals
With its seductive scent, the butterfly bush announces its presence from afar during its heyday. If you follow the scent, you will come across a flowering wood up to 300 cm in size with large, lilac-colored or white panicles. Buddleja davidii owes its name to the attraction that its nectar-rich flowers exert on butterflies. The magnificent appearance of course belies the following toxic ingredients:
- The glycosides Catapol and Aucubin
- Various saponins
also read
- Cut off faded flowers on the butterfly lilac - or not?
- How to properly transplant a butterfly lilac
- How should the butterfly lilac be overwintered?
If consumed intentionally or unintentionally, these substances cause mild to moderate symptoms of intoxication. The highest concentration is found in leaves and seeds. Children and pets are primarily at risk. Therefore, do not leave young children unattended near butterfly lilacs. Do not use the leaves as green fodder for rabbits and guinea pigs.
Do not dispose of clippings in pastures
Since a butterfly bush is cut back to 20 cm in spring, there is always a large amount of clippings. Please do not dispose of the leftovers in a cattle or horse pasture. If the animals eat a large amount of leaves and seeds, symptoms of poisoning are inevitable. The clippings should only be placed on the compost if no animals can attack them.
Tips
The slight poisonous content of the seeds is a further argument, withered flowers preen on the butterfly bush promptly. In this way you prevent the growth of the toxic capsule fruits and an invasive spread through self-sowing in one operation.