Buttonbush

Plant Profile
FYUSE 3D Image	Common Name: Buttonbush Other Names: Honey-balls, Button Willow, Spanish Pin-cushion Species Name: Cephalanthus occidentalis Plant Type: Woody Family Name: Rubiaceae, Madder Family Note: Learn more about Buttonbush from Oklahoma Proven.


Plant Facts
Origin	Native
Duration	Perennial
Distribution in the U.S.	Eastern half and as far west as Nebraska, Kansas and Texas
Distribution in Oklahoma	Throughout the state

ID Characteristics

Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Leaves smooth; widest at the center and pointed
- Leaves opposite or whorled; usually in groups of three on stem
Floral
- Flowers become spherical brown to greenish-brown seed heads
- Iconic, fuzzy white to cream spherical flower heads
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Growth Form: Shrub
- Leaf Type: Simple
- Leaf Arrangement: Whorled and/or opposite
- Leaf Blade Edge: Entire
- Leaf Blade Length: 6-15 centimeters
Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: 4
- Flower Color: White or cream
- Flower Timing: May-September
- Fruit Type: Schizocarps


Habitat/Ecology
Soil Type	Sandy, loam and clay soils
Habitat	Edges of ponds, lakes, marshes, creeks and intermittent streams
Successional Stage	Early