Nomenclature

Common Name:

buttonwood

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Conocarpus erectus

Family:

Combretaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

20-40 (50) ft tall by 20-40 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow,green,NA

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Evergreen. Flowers and fruits all year. Long-lived (Nelson 2003).

Noted For:

Showy Fruits, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant, shade tree, hedge. Will tolerate shearing.

Considerations:

Availability:

Big Box Stores, Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Seeds or cuttings.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars

Nectar source and larval host plant for martial scrub hairstreak ( Strymon martialis ) and tantalus sphinx ( Aellopos tantalus ) .





Nectar plant for amethyst hairstreak ( Chlorostrymon maesites ) and other butterflies.





Attracts bees ( http://www.tcbeekeepers.org/ ).








 

The seeds are primarily dispersed by water.

Native Habitats:

Upper edges of mangrove swamps and on lower parts of dunes.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Wood has been used to make charcoal.

General Comments:

Two color morphs, green and silver.



Since it often occurs along the upland margin of mangrove swamps, it is sometimes referred to as the 4th Florida mangrove.



The silver morph is generally smaller and shrubbier than the green morph.