Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Rubiales>Rubiaceae>Cephalanthus occidentalis L.

	Buttonbush is a common medium-sized shrub found along lake margins and in other sunny, wet areas. During the summer it produces compact ball-shaped heads of white tubular flowers with excerted stamens. Jordan Lake, Chatham Co., NC 9/19/2009.
	After flowering the heads turn into ball-shaped "buttons". Chatham Co., NC 9/18/2010.
	Chatham Co., NC 9/18/2010.
	Chatham Co., NC 9/18/2010.
	Chatham Co., NC 9/18/2010.

	Chatham Co., NC 9/19/2009.
	Chatham Co., NC 9/19/2009.
	Chatham Co., NC 9/19/2009.

Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

A female Sachem is lurking on this flower cluster.

Lake Michie, Durham Co., NC 7/15/03.

The deciduous leaves are broad, entire, and either opposite or whorled. As you can see, buttonbush is a favorite of butterflies, such as this Silver-spotted Skipper.

Lake Michie, Durham Co., NC 7/15/03.

It can be difficult to photograph a buttonbush flower without a butterfly attached! (These are E. Tiger Swallowtails.)

Lake Michie, Durham Co., NC 7/15/03.

Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) bark

Bark detail.

Chatham Co., NC 9/19/2009.

	Chatham Co., NC 9/18/2010.
	Chatham Co., NC 9/18/2010.

More information:
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Wetland Plant Identification