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 Greene 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
- 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