Pronounced (approximate): sef-ah-LAN-thus ock-sih-den-TAH-liss
Tiny white flowers form distinctive spherical heads. Long projecting styles give each flower head a pincushion appearance.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis): white flower head closeup. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Rubiaceae
Life cycle Deciduous shrub
Blooms Summer
Height Usually 5–12 feet
Habitat Pond margins, swamps, streambanks, and other wet ground
Common names
Buttonbush · Common Buttonbush
Bloom timing and height vary with location. Native status refers to North America; see the regional range below.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Pond margins, swamps, streambanks, and other wet ground. Flowering season: summer.
Look for the rounded flower heads on a woody shrub growing in wet habitat.
Tiny white flowers form distinctive spherical heads.
Broad leaves occur in opposite pairs or whorls.
Look for deciduous shrub growth in pond margins, swamps, streambanks, and other wet ground. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
15 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Native across much of eastern and southern North America, with western populations, and south into Central America and Cuba.
Reported U.S. native distribution
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
State records describe documented distribution, not presence in every county. The observation map shows reported sightings and may include cultivated plants.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Buttonbush in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.
