Cephalanthus occidentalis
Buttonbush
General
Buttonbush is an attractive, spreading shrub with white flowers in globular cluster that form interesting ball-shaped seed heads. Strongly prefers wet areas. A good food source for waterfowl and other birds, and also used by pollinators.
Plant Description
Multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub. Stems are swollen at the base. Form is often slightly asymmetrical. Flowers are white with long styles and are clustered in a round shape, making them look like pincushions. Young bark has elongated lenticels. Leaves are ovate/elliptical, shiny, and either opposite or whorled.
Height (ft)
15
Spread (ft)
6-8
Soil moisture
High
Soil types
Any texture, moist
Wetland indicator
OBL
Shade tolerance
Tolerant, Full Sun to Full Shade
Bloom color
White
Bloom period
Summer
Fall conspicuous
No
Anaerobic tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
Meduim
Salinity tolerance
Low
Self-Pollinating?
Yes
Range
Eastern and southern United States, extending in the north to Maine and Minnesota and North into Canada, and in the Southwest through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and into northern California.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, many tribes have used a decoction of the bark for sore eyes, fevers and stomachaches. The bark has been chewed for toothaches.