Conocarpus erectus
Photo by John Bradford. 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 9B
2002-2022, Copyright Florida Native Plant Society
Buttonwood
Combretaceae
Plant Specifics
| 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). | |
| Habitats: | Upper edges of mangrove swamps and on lower parts of dunes. |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Specimen plant, shade tree, hedge. Will tolerate shearing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun, Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
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| Moisture Tolerance: | Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray Tolerance: | High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil/Substrate: | Lime rock, Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wildlife
The seeds are primarily dispersed by water.
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/).