Cephalanthus occidentalis
Photo by Shirley Denton. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B
2002-2022, Copyright Florida Native Plant Society
Buttonbush
Rubiaceae
Plant Specifics
| Size: | 5 to 20 ft tall by 4 to 8 ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | White | |
| Fruit Color: | Brown | |
| Phenology: | Deciduous. Blooms in late spring. Fruits ripen in summer. Lifespan likely >50 yrs (Nelson). | |
| Habitats: | Marshes, swamps, river floodplains |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Wetlands and wetland edges as a specimen plant with a pleasing multi-stemmed vase-shape. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun, Part Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
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| Moisture Tolerance: | Stays Wet ----- to ----- Usually moist, occasional inundation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray Tolerance: | Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil/Substrate: | Clay, Loam, Organic material (muck), Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 (https://xerces.org/blog/planting-for-pollinators-button-bush).
Flowers are very attractive to a variety of insects including butterflies and bees.