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Cephalanthus occidentalis

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Cephalanthus occidentalis
Cephalanthus occidentalis var. occidentalis blooming in Point Pelee National Park (Ontario, Canada).
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Cephalanthus
Species:
C. occidentalis
Binomial name
Cephalanthus occidentalis
L., 1753[2]
Varieties

C. o. var. californicus
C. o. var. occidentalis

Natural range of Cephalanthus occidentalis[3]

Cephalanthus occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae that is native to eastern and southern North America. Common names include buttonbush, common buttonbush, button-willow, buck brush, and honey-bells.

Description

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Cephalanthus occidentalis is a deciduous shrub or small tree that averages 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft) in height, but can reach 6 m (20 ft). The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three, elliptic to ovate, 7–18 cm (2.8–7.1 in) long and 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) broad, with a smooth edge and a short petiole. The flowers are arranged in a dense spherical inflorescence 2–3.5 cm (0.79–1.38 in) in diameter on a short peduncle. Each flower has a fused white to pale yellow four-lobed corolla forming a long slender tube connecting to the sepals. The stigma protrudes slightly from the corolla. The fruit is a spherical cluster of achenes (nutlets).[4]

Taxonomy

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There are two varieties, not considered distinct by all authorities:

Habitat

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Buttonbush is a common shrub of many wetland habitats in its range, including swamps, floodplains, mangrove, pocosin, riparian zones, and moist forest understory.[5] It is a member of the flora in the Everglades.[5]

Ecology

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Waterfowl and other birds eat the seeds. Wood ducks utilize the plant as nest protection, and mallards eat the fruit.[6] Deer browse the foliage, which is poisonous to livestock.[7] Insects and hummingbirds take the nectar, with bees using it to make honey.[5][8] It is a larval host to the hydrangea sphinx, the royal walnut moth, and the titan sphinx.[9]

Distribution

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The species occurs in eastern North America with disjunct populations occurring in the west. In Canada, it occurs from southern Ontario and Quebec east to New Brunswick and south-western Nova Scotia. Besides the eastern United States, and eastern regions of the Midwest, notable areas range into Arizona, the Mogollon Rim, and other mountain ranges; in California, the entire San Joaquin Valley[10] West of the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains, only western Texas, Arizona, and California find C. occidentalis.

Uses

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Medicinal

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Cephalanthus occidentalis has a number of historical medicinal uses, but it is also toxic due to the presence of cephalanthin.[5][8]

Cultivation

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Buttonbush is cultivated as an ornamental plant for a nectar source or 'honey plant' and for aesthetics in gardens and native plant landscapes, and is planted on slopes to help control erosion.[11] Buttonbush is a suitable shrub for butterfly gardens.

San Joaquin Valley landmark tree

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The town of Buttonwillow, California was named for the buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). A lone buttonbush served as a landmark on an old trans-San Joaquin Valley trail, and was used by ancient Yokuts as a meeting place. It later became the site of settlers' stock rodeos. This buttonbush tree is listed as California Historical Landmark No. 492, and is now known as the "Buttonwillow Tree".[12]

References

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  1. ^ Maiz-Tome, L. (2016). "Cephalanthus occidentalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T64310261A67729125. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T64310261A67729125.en. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Cephalanthus occidentalis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  3. ^ "Cephalanthus occidentalis" (PDF). Digital Representations of Tree Species Range Maps from "Atlas of United States Trees" by Elbert L. Little, Jr. (and other publications). United States Geological Survey.
  4. ^ "Cephalanthus occidentalis L. buttonbush" (PDF). Wildland Shrubs of the United States and its Territories: Thamnic Descriptions. United States Forest Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  5. ^ a b c d "Cephalanthus occidentalis". Fire Effects Information System. United States Forest Service.
  6. ^ Niering, William A.; Olmstead, Nancy C. (1985) [1979]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. Knopf. p. 764. ISBN 0-394-50432-1.
  7. ^ Little, Elbert L. (1980). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region. New York: Knopf. p. 667. ISBN 0-394-50760-6.
  8. ^ a b "Common Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis L." (PDF). Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Guide. United States Department of Agriculture.
  9. ^ The Xerces Society (2016), Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects, Timber Press.
  10. ^ Little Jr., Elbert L. (1976). "Map 34, Cephalanthus occidentalis". Atlas of United States Trees. Vol. 3 (Minor Western Hardwoods). US Government Printing Office. LCCN 79-653298. OCLC 4053799.
  11. ^ O'Sullivan, Penelope (2007). The Homeowner's Complete Tree & Shrub Handbook: The Essential Guide to Choosing, Planting, and Maintaining Perfect Landscape Plants. Storey Publishing. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-58017-571-5.
  12. ^ "CHL # 492 Buttonwillow Tree Kern". www.californiahistoricallandmarks.com.
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