plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Buttonbush

Scientific Name:

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Genus:

Cephalanthus

Species Epithet:

occidentalis

Common Name:

Buttonbush

Plant Type

Tree/Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Rubiaceae (Madder Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

6-12 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist, Wet

Bloom Time:

June, July, August

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Streambanks, riverbanks, depressional wetlands, lakes, often in standing water

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite, Whorled

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

In bloom

Buttonbush grows in wet places, even in standing water. Wood Ducks eat the seed and the flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Leaves opposite or in whorls of three.

image

Jack Spruill, Tyrell Co, July 21, 2009

This plant was growing on the banks of the Scuppernong River in Columbia.

Flower cluster

image

David Paynter, Brunswick Town, 6.11.11

Close-up of flower

image

David Paynter, Brunswick Town, 6.11.11

Close-up of flower buds in early July

Garden in Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Cephalanthus occidentalis. You will likely hear them called Buttonbush. This picture shows the Close-up of flower buds in early July of Cephalanthus occidentalis

Bettina Darveaux

Mature bark

The Scientific Name is Cephalanthus occidentalis. You will likely hear them called Buttonbush. This picture shows the Mature bark of Cephalanthus occidentalis

Wake County, NC, August 2002, by Hugh Partridge

Very attractive small to medium sized shrub when in bloom. The flowers look like little pom poms. This picture was taken a bit past peak flowering and many of the inflorescences have flowers that have turned brown and fallen off.

Orange County, NC, cultivated

The Scientific Name is Cephalanthus occidentalis. You will likely hear them called Buttonbush. This picture shows the Very attractive small to medium sized shrub when in bloom. The flowers look like little pom poms. This picture was taken a bit past peak flowering and many of the inflorescences have flowers that have turned brown and fallen off. of Cephalanthus occidentalis

Bettina Darveaux

Flower heads mature into hard spherical ball-like fruits consisting of multiple tiny two-seeded nutlets.

Randolph Co., NC- cultivated

The Scientific Name is Cephalanthus occidentalis. You will likely hear them called Buttonbush. This picture shows the Flower heads mature into hard spherical ball-like fruits consisting of multiple tiny two-seeded nutlets. of Cephalanthus occidentalis

Judy West

Nutlets

Randolph Co., NC- cultivated

The Scientific Name is Cephalanthus occidentalis. You will likely hear them called Buttonbush. This picture shows the Nutlets of Cephalanthus occidentalis

Judy West

Large, glossy deciduous leaves have entire margins and are opposite.

Pitt Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Cephalanthus occidentalis. You will likely hear them called Buttonbush. This picture shows the Large, glossy deciduous leaves have entire margins and are opposite. of Cephalanthus occidentalis

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



• Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial c Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums