Common Name:

buttonbush

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Family:

Rubiaceae

Form:

shrub

Size:

5-20 ft tall by 4-8 ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial; lifespan likely >50 yrs (Nelson)

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

deciduous; blooms in late spring, with fruits ripening in summer

Noted For:

Recommended Uses:

Wetlands and wetland edges as a specimen plant with a pleasing multi-stemmed vase-shape.

Considerations:

Foliage is poisonous to livestock and humans.

Availability:

Propagation:

Seed or hardwood cuttings. Seed does not need pre-treatment.

Light:

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Stays Wet ---to--- Usually moist, occasional inundation

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Clay, Loam, Organic (muck), Sand

Soil pH:

slightly acidic to calcareous

Suitable to Grow In:

8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11

Wildlife:

Deer browse the foliage. Ducks and other birds including jays, cardinals, nuthatches, titmice, warblers, and mockingbirds consume the seed.

Host plant to several moths including titan sphinx (Aellopos titan) and hydrangea sphinx (Darapsa versicolor) moths (Xerces Society)

Flowers are very attractive to a variety of insects including butterflies and bees.

Native Habitats:

Marshes, swamps, river floodplains

Natural Range in Florida:

Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants

Ethnobotany:

Has been used medicinally though there are potential issues. Dried leaves may be poisonous to pets.

General Comments:

Noted for it's round satellite "ball" flowers and round "button" fruits. Fragrant. Sources disagree on salt tolerance of this plant.