Object Details
Description
Buttonbush is a plant most notable for its white, ball-like flower heads. Don’t let its whimsical flowers deceive you into thinking this plant is harmless, however. While some Native Americans used parts of the buttonbush medicinally, the plant contains a poison which will induce vomiting, convulsions, and paralysis if consumed.
Hardiness
-20 - 30 F
Attracts
Birds w/ seed; Butterflies w/ nectar; Sphinx Moth Host
Bloom Time
June to September
Medicinal / Pharmaceutical
Some Native Americans used decoctions of the bark as washes for sore eyes, antidiarrheal agents, anti-inflammation and rheumatism medications, skin astringents, headache and fever relievers, and to treat venereal disease. Bark was also chewed to relieve toothaches. Roots could be used to treat muscle inflammation and for the blood.
Provenance
Uncertain
Accession Number
2011-0994A
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Life Form
Deciduous shrub/sub-shrub
Average Height
6-15'
Bark Characteristics
Twigs: green and 4-sided Mature: brown and scaly
Bloom Characteristics
Tiny, tube shaped, 5-lobed flowers grow in dense, spherical flower heads. 1.5" diameter.
Foliage Characteristics
Lance-shaped, dark green, paired or whorled leaves emerge in May. 2-6" long.
Fruit Characteristics
Ball-like fruit made up of many, tiny, two-seeded nutlets. Usually persist through winter. September and October.
Key ID Characteristics
Pincushion flower heads, elongated lenticels, and swollen stem bases.
Range
E Canada to C America, Cuba
Habitat
Riparian
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Display Collection
On Display
National Museum of Natural History
Common Name
button bush
common buttonbush
globe-flowered bush
swamp globeflower
button willow
white pond-dogwood
honey balls
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Asteranae
Order
Gentianales
Family
Rubiaceae
Genus
Cephalanthus
Species
occidentalis
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Display Gardens
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2011-0994A