Re: [SG] buttonwood, buttonbush
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] buttonwood, buttonbush
- From: R* D* <d*@INDIANA.EDU>
- Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1999 10:22:38 -0500
Tam, no they are not the same thing--I don't think. Common names are
unreliable though.
Buttonwood is apparently another name for the Sycamore (Platanus
occidentalis). At least WYMAN'S ENCYCLOPEDIA says Buttonwood = P.
occidentalis; oddly, they don't have an entry for Sycamore! The Peterson
FIELD GUIDE TO TREES AND SHRUBS lists only Sycamore, no mention of
Buttonwood in the index. Maybe buttonwood is a local name?
Buttonbush is Cephalanthus occidentalis, and grows to 15 feet (usuallly
less) at the edges of lakes and other moist areas. It is a delightful
native shrub. It isn't particularly southern in habitat--you could grow it
up there. It has opposite leaves, not toothed, that look nothing like
sycamore leaves... I am wondering if your "buttonwood" is something other
than sycamore. Do you have the Peterson Guide?
Bobbi Diehl
Snowed in in IN
zone 5/6
On Sun, 3 Jan 1999, Tamara Milostan wrote:
> Can anyone tell me if buttonwood and buttonbush are the same plant. The
> range seems to be different, but the leaves look the same. They both
> appear to be plants from the more southern parts of the US. Tamara
>
