PLANT PROFILE

Cephalanthus occidentalis
buttonbush



Cephalanthus occidentalis
Photo courtesy Renee Brecht
Britton & Brown
Botanical name: Cephalanthus occidentalis
Common name: buttonbush
Group: dicot
Family: Rubiaceae
Growth type: tree/shrub
Duration: perennial
Origin: native
Plant height: 3 - 10'
Foliage: egg shaped, 3-6" long, opposite or whorled
Flower: white, in round ball-like heads. flowers are tubular, about 1/4" long
Flowering time: blooms early July to late August; fruit August to September
Habitat: low wet ground of swamps
Range in New Jersey: statewide but only intrusive up larger streams into the Pine Barrens (Hough)
Heritage ranking, if any: n/a
Distribution:
Misc. USDA Plant Guide
Numerous butterflies feed on buttonbush, including various skippers and eastern tiger swallowtails.