buttonbush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• eastern buttonbush
• button-willow
• buttonbush
• honey-bells

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cephalanthus occidentalis subsp. californicus
• Cephalanthus acuminatus
• Cephalanthus obtusifolius
• Cephalanthus obtusifolius
• Cephalanthus occidentalis f. lanceolatus
• Cephalanthus occidentalis var. brachypodus
• Cephalanthus occidentalis var. californicus
• Cephalanthus occidentalis var. macrophyllus
• Cephalanthus occidentalis var. obtusifolius
• Cephalanthus occidentalis var. pubescens
• Cephalanthus oppositifolius
• Cephalanthus hansenii
• Cephalanthus berlandieri
• Cephalanthus pubescens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cephalanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In Eastern Europe, its presence can be noted within the borders of Belarus. Moving across the Atlantic, it is found throughout Eastern Canada in provinces such as New Brunswick, Ontario, and Québec. Additionally, the species extends into the North-Central United States, specifically inhabiting Illinois. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant can be located.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cephalanthus occidentalis is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the plant is categorized as a nanophanerophyte, indicating a life form where the perennating buds are located just above the ground surface, typically at a height of less than 25 centimeters, though its overall architectural development can vary depending on environmental conditions. This perennial nature allows the species to establish a robust presence in its habitat, enduring seasonal shifts through its specialized growth form.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cephalanthus occidentalis is characterized by its woody growth form, manifesting primarily as a shrub or a tree. This species is a self-supporting plant that functions independently, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, and it maintains a terrestrial habitat. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height; while individual specimens may reach a minimum of 1 meter, they typically grow to a mean height of approximately 9.77 meters, with maximum heights recorded up to 7 meters depending on environmental conditions and specific growth stages.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

9.77 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cephalanthus occidentalis is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period typically commences in July and extends through September, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit significant variations in mass. The seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.0016925 g to a maximum of 0.00343 g, with the mean seed mass recorded at approximately 0.003141875 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Seed mass max:

0.00343 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003141875 g

Seed mass min:

0.0016925 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cephalanthus occidentalis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ajmalicine, ISOMITRAPHYLLINE, Mitraphylline, Strictosidine aglycone, Uncarine F.

Ajmalicine

1. Biodesign research

ISOMITRAPHYLLINE

1. Biodesign research

Mitraphylline

1. Biodesign research

Strictosidine aglycone

1. Biodesign research

Uncarine F

1. Biodesign research

Conditions

Cephalanthus occidentalis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include C. parapsilosis.

C. parapsilosis

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Cephalanthus occidentalis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts.

Methanol extracts

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences