Cephalanthus occidentalis
Common Names: Common Buttonbush [1], Globeflower [2]
| Cephalanthus occidentalis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Photo by the Atlas of Florida Plants Database | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida - Dicots |
| Order: | Rubiales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Cephalanthus |
| Species: | C. occidentalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Cephalanthus occidentalis L. | |
| |
| Natural range of Cephalanthus occidentalis from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Contents
Taxonomic Notes
Synonyms: Cephalanthus occidentalis L. var. occidentalis, Cephalanthus occidentalis L. var. pubescens Raf.
Varieties: none
Description
C. occidentalis is a perennial shrub/tree of the Rubiaceae family native to North America.[1] It contains the poison cephalathin, which induces vomiting, convulsions, and paralysis if ingested. This shrub reaches heights of 6 meters, is multi-stemmed, and stem bases are swollen. Twigs are green when young, have elongated lenticels, 4-sided, and brown and scaly when mature. Leaves whorled or oppositely arranged, glossy in appearance and dark green, developing in May. Flowers tube-shaped, 4 or 5-lobed, reddish to white in color, and develop in dense clusters at branch ends; the long styles on the flower give the pincushion like appearance. Fruit ball-shaped with 2-seeded nutlets enclosed. It can easily be identified by the flower heads, elongated lenticels, or swollen stem bases.[3]
Distribution
The C. occidentalis is found in the eastern United States, California and Arizona, as well as eastern Canada. It is also native to Mexico.[1]
Ecology
Habitat
C. occidentalis habitat is primarily wetlands. It can be found on streambanks, depressional wetlands, lakes, and in other standing water. [4] This shrub requires full sunlight for flowering and can withstand habitats of up to three feet of standing water. [1]
Associated species: Fagus grandifolia, Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Quercus velutina, Quercus palustris, Nyssa sp., Taxodium distichum, Myrica caroliniensis, Persea borbonia, Ilex sp., Vitis sp., Viburnum sp., Toxicodendron radicans, Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon gerardi, and Panicum sp.[3]
Seed bank and germination
Seeds of the C. occidentalis need to be germinated in moist soil under full sun or slight shade. [1]
Fire ecology
Intense fires will decrease the response of regrowth, though the C.. occidentalis can resprout after lower intensity burns. [1]
Pollination
The nectar of C. occidentalis attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds; bees utilize this nectar to make honey.[3]
Use by animals
The seeds of C. occidentalis are eaten by shorebirds and waterfowl, while white-tailed deer browse the foliage. Wood ducks utilize the plant's structure for cover and protection for their brooding nests. Historically, Native American tribes used this plant medicinally in multiple ways. The bark was deconcocted to be used for washes of sore eyes, anti-inflammation and rheumatism medications, antidiarrheal agents, relief for headaches and fevers, skin astringents, and venereal disease remedies. As well, the bark was chewed to help alleviate toothaches, and the roots were utilized for blood medicine and muscle inflammation.[3]
Conservation and Management
Herbicides can be detrimental to the species, and springtime flooding can damage it as well. Pruning the plant is not needed for its spread, but can be used in the spring to fix overall shape. When water levels are low, dense shrubs in the fall can be cut back to maintain them.[3]
Cultivation and restoration
C. occidentalis can be used for erosion control on shorelines. It has a strong base that can stabilize the plant and the shoreline. [1]
Photo Gallery
References and notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 USDA Plant Database
- ↑ Gee, K. L., et al. (1994). White-tailed deer: their foods and management in the cross timbers. Ardmore, OK, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Wennerberg, S. (2006). Plant Guide: Common Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis. N.R.C.S. United States Department of Agriculture. Baton Rouge, LA.
- ↑ Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Herbarium.
