Cephalanthus occidentalis var. occidentalis
Origin: South Jersey
Improvement status: Wild
Seeds per packet: ~50
BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED
Life cycle: Perennial
Buttonbush is a beautiful native shrub with spherical white flowers that resemble tiny supernovas, commonly found growing in swamps and floodplains, along the edges of lakes, ponds, and waterways. Buttonbush is also sometimes called "buck brush," "honey bells", and "button-willow," though it's not a willow at all, but a member of the Rubiaceae family (along with coffee!). Its native range covers most of eastern North America, from Texas and Florida to Minnesota and Nova Scotia. A closely related type (var. californicus) is found in California, other disjunct parts of the Southwestern US, along with Mexico and northern Central America.
Considered an excellent honey plant, buttonbush nectar is attractive to a number of native pollinators, especially butterflies and hummingbirds. It's also an important host plant for larvae of many native pollinators, including some spectacular butterflies and moths including the hydrangea sphinx, titan sphinx, and royal walnut moth. The plant is toxic to humans and livestock (due to a toxin called cephalanthin), though it also has a long history of medicinal use among various indigenous peoples. Waterfowl and other birds eat the seeds, and utilize the plants for making nests. Though it grows mostly by water in the wild, it can also flourish in gardens if kept watered during dry periods. It is sometimes planted on slopes to help control erosion.
Our seeds were collected from the wild in southern New Jersey by EFN co-founder Nate Kleinman.
GROWING TIPS: Seeds require no pre-treatement, but should be kept well watered throughout the sprouting period. They usually emerge within 2-3 weeks. Prefers medium to wet moisture levels, and acidic to neutral soil. Can handle full sun or part shade.
