Cephalanthus occidentalisIndiana Native
Common Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis - Flowers
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
White (Creamy white)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Bright to dark green)
 Stem Notes:
Green (glabrous, becoming red when woodier)
 Fruit Notes:
Red (Ball-like nutlet )
 Ultimate Height:
6-10 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
10-15 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Moist or wet soil.
 Range:
Eastern U.S. and lower portions of Canada
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are opposite or whorled, simple, entire, ovate to elliptic or lanceolate shape and are up to 2-6" long with a width half of its length, lustrous, bright to dark green above, with a lighter, glabrous to somewhat pubescent surface beneath. Flowers are globular cluster, projecting styles, 1 to 1 1/4" in width on peduncles 1 to 2 1/2" in length. Individual flowers are 4 to 5-lobed, creamy white. Stems are gray-brown with younger stems a shining olive, with prominent vertical lenticels. Fruits are toxic if ingested.
 Ecological Functions:
  Special Characteristics:
  • Indiana Native 152
  • Poisonous/Toxic 43
  • Shade Tolerant 114
  • Wet Soil Tolerant 101

    • Additional Information

    Buttonbush is an Indiana native and a wet-soil tolerant shrub found near marshes, wetlands, and river banks. This is a great choice for those wet areas in the landscape or a featured shrub in your rain garden. The flowers of this shrub are globe-like in shape and bloom from June through August, attracting wildlife such as butterflies. The leaves of the Buttonbush emerge late in the Spring and might look dead until mid-May. Though this shrub can tolerate shade, the flowers will be more sparse.

    When Cephalanthus occidentalis has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

    Flowering

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
    No Fruiting Observations Available

    1 Cephalanthus occidentalis found

    Building Map...

    = Heritage plant = Memorial plant
    Number Accession ID Location
    12018_00837*AHORT

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