Cephalanthus occidentalis
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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. |