Buddleja bullata is a variable species endemic to the Andes, from Venezuela south through Colombia and Ecuador to Peru, at elevations of 1,800–3,600m, where it grows on stream beds and in the remnants of montane forest. The species was first described and named by Kunth in 1818.

Description

Buddleja bullata is a dioecious shrub or small tree 1 – 10m high, with a greyish-tan bark. The branches are subquadrangular and tomentose. The membraneous or subcoriaceous leaves are elliptic, lanceolate or ovate, 8–22cm long by 3–8cm wide, glabrescent, often bullate, above and covered with a white or yellowish tomentum below. The cream or yellow inflorescences are paniculate 7–25cm long by 7–20cm wide, comprising globose heads about 1cm in diameter, each with 6–12 flowers; the corollas are 2.5–3.5mm long.

Hybrids

The species is believed to hybridize with B. pichinchensis in the wild.