Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Cephalanthaceae (Buttonbush Family)

▲▼ flowering plants in spring

▲ flowers, leaves

▲ fruit in late summer

Location near campus:  in east end of Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in Nathanael Green Park, just north of Botanical Center Building

Cephalanthus occidentalis:  Buttonbush

·         leaves deciduous, opposite or whorled in 3s or 4s, simple, oval with pointed tips and entire margins; dark green above and lighter below

·         stems green to reddish-brown or gray

·         flowers white, somewhat fragrant in globe-shaped cluster arising in axils of upper stem leaves—flowers on current season’s growth

o   flowers are very attractive to many species of butterflies

·         seedheads are dried flower clusters and are reddish-brown, fading to gray

·         grows 4-10 feet tall in upright, rounded habit, with single stem or few stems coming up from base

·         prefers full sun, but can tolerate moderate shade (open woods)

·         can tolerate submersion in water; prefers moist, well-drained soils; can tolerate alkaline or acidic soils

·         native to southwest Missouri