Weekly Puzzler Answer #247

Some names in nature are fitting while others seem out in left field. Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis is one that is perfectly named, as its white flowers look like fuzzy buttons. Other common names include button willow, honey bells, honey balls, riverbush, and common buttonbush. Did you recognize this wetland shrub? 

As is often the case, the first time I ever saw this shrub I had no idea what it was. I was in a kayak on a lake in Arkansas, on a road trip to Colorado. This shrub was growing in two feet of water, full of these fuzzy, white snowballs, many of which were covered with butterflies and other insects. Not knowing its name, I snapped a few photos, knowing eventually I would look it up, identify it and use it as a puzzler. 

Buttonbush is native to North America, from Canada south to Florida, west to the Great Plains, and even in patches in California, Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico. It grows in wet habitats, including along rivers, creeks, lakesides, marshes and ponds. The pollinators love it and many birds (24 different species!) feed on the seeds including geese, wood ducks and mallards. 

I recently just bought a buttonbush shrub and planted it in my yard, and am excited to watch it grow. Buttonbush will get 6-12 feet tall and equally as wide. Since I am all about making my yard in the woods a haven to many different kinds of animals, it was easy to make the decision to buy one. Planting natives in our yards, however large or small, is super important if we want to attract and help wildlife. What native plants do you like best? Have you read Doug Tallamy’s book called Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants? In it he talks about the importance of choosing native plants for our yards and how we all can make a difference regardless of where we live or how much land we own.

Speaking of native plants, let’s do another as this week’s puzzler. Weekly Puzzler #248 is another native, this one a tree with fragrant, white flowers on drooping limbs.