A native shrub with distinctive spherical white flower clusters.

Also called: Common Buttonbush, Button-willow

Native status: Native to eastern + southern US

§ Quick facts

SizeHeight 1.5–6 m (5–20 ft); typically 2–3 m as a shrub
WeightN/A
LifespanPerennial; clumps long-lived
OrderGentianales
FamilyRubiaceae

§ Encyclopedia

Cephalanthus occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae that is native to eastern and southern North America. Common names include buttonbush, common buttonbush, button-willow, buck brush, and honey-bells.

Source: Wikipedia — Cephalanthus occidentalis Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Multi-stemmed shrub with smooth lance-shaped leaves in whorls of 3–4; distinctive spherical white flower clusters (4 cm) on long stems; spherical seed heads (button-like) persistent into winter.

Similar species. Rare native shrubs with spherical clusters are uncommon. Sycamore has spherical fruit but is a massive tree.

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. N/A — photosynthesis

Behavior. Native wetland shrub of swamps, marshes, and pond edges. Distinctive spherical white flower clusters ("buttonballs") look like fragrant pincushions and attract massive numbers of pollinators — sometimes 30+ species of bees and butterflies on a single bush. Waterfowl and shorebirds eat the small nutlets that develop after flowering. Tolerates flooding for weeks; commonly grows with roots underwater.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Wetlands, riparian areas

§ Threats

Wetland loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the buttonbush is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Plant native buttonbush. Support wetland conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USDA Plants Database
  • Xerces Society Pollinator Garden plant guide
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center