Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis L., Native Minnesota Wildflower shrub, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

This unique shrub, named for the round flower heads, begins bloom in early summer. Flowers: The small white 4-parted tubular flowers that grow out of the round 1" wide head have a long protruding style, twice the length of the corolla, which is clearly evident in the photos. The four stamens do not protrude from the white corolla, each flower sessile. The entire head is on a very long stalk (peduncle) from the leaf axil. Leaves are opposite, stalked, entire, and 2 to 6 inches long. The seed matures in those round clusters as dark brown nutlets and seed dispersal establishes new plants. Un-rooted cuttings can even establish new plants if other competing vegetation is removed from around the cutting. Stems are usually multiple and branched. Bark is smooth on young stems and scaly on older stems.

There are several bushes in the marsh area near Guidebook Stations 23 and 25 where they have the wet areas they grow well. One plant is well over 10 feet high. The plant is delightful to look at but rather coarse. Buttonbush is very beneficial to wildlife. The seeds are eaten by 8 known species of waterfowl and the twigs are eaten to mammals. It will grow in dryer soils, but will not flower well unless it receives enough water.

Other names and notes	Trees and Shrubs of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Flowering Season
	Buttonbush	Cephalanthus occidentalis L.	Madder (Rubiaceae)	Woodland - marsh	Early Summer to Fall
	This unique shrub, named for the round flower heads, begins bloom in early summer. Flowers: The small white 4-parted tubular flowers that grow out of the round 1" wide head have a long protruding style, twice the length of the corolla, which is clearly evident in the photos. The four stamens do not protrude from the white corolla, each flower sessile. The entire head is on a very long stalk (peduncle) from the leaf axil. Leaves are opposite, stalked, entire, and 2 to 6 inches long. The seed matures in those round clusters as dark brown nutlets and seed dispersal establishes new plants. Un-rooted cuttings can even establish new plants if other competing vegetation is removed from around the cutting. Stems are usually multiple and branched. Bark is smooth on young stems and scaly on older stems. There are several bushes in the marsh area near Guidebook Stations 23 and 25 where they have the wet areas they grow well. One plant is well over 10 feet high. The plant is delightful to look at but rather coarse. Buttonbush is very beneficial to wildlife. The seeds are eaten by 8 known species of waterfowl and the twigs are eaten to mammals. It will grow in dryer soils, but will not flower well unless it receives enough water.