Cephalanthus

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Cephalanthus (Buttonbush) is a genus of of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. Different authorities accept between six and 15 species. The name derives from ancient Greek "head flower" (cephalo meaning head and anthus meaning flower).

They are shrubs or small trees growing to 5-15 m tall, native to temperate to tropical regions of the Americas, Africa and Asia. The leaves are simple, arranged in opposite pairs or whorls of three. The flowers form a dense globular inflorescence.

Species include:

• Cephalanthus glabratus (Sarandi). South America.
• Cephalanthus natalensis. Southern Africa.
• Cephalanthus naucleoides. Taiwan.
• Cephalanthus occidentalis (Button-willow, Common Buttonbush, or Honey-bells). North America.
• Cephalanthus salicifolius (Mexican Buttonbush, Willowleaf Buttonbush). Mexico, Texas.

References

• [Germplasm Resources Information Network: Cephalanthus]
• [USDA Plants Profile: Cephalanthus]
• [Flora of Taiwan: Cephalanthus]

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