Buttonwood

Conocarpus erectus L.

Silver Buttonwood: Conocarpus erectus L. var. sericeus E. Forst. ex DC.

kahn-oh-CARP-us  ee-RECT-us  variety sair-ISS-ee-us

Combretaceae

Explanation of name: Cono-carpus comes from Greek conus and carpus, meaning conelike fruits (the button is a mass of several tiny fruits). Erectus is self-explanatory. Sericeus means wooly.

Natural range: Tropical coasts, including Florida, Caribbean, South America, Galapagos, Africa. Tidal swamps

Recognition: Shrub or small tree with elliptic leaves. On  the underside of the leaf are small black dots (domatia) along the main vein. The fruits are rough "buttons" about the size of a grape. Silver Buttonwood is covered with silvery-gray fuzz.

Landscape uses: This species serves in South Florida landscaping as a shrub (eventually becoming large), as a small tree, and as a hedge. Although tolerant of heavy pruning, Conocarpus used as a hedge is more attractive when allowed to assume its natural shape and size. Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus is susceptible to sooty mold, sometimes even when no sucking insect pest appears to be present. A species native to brackish soils, buttonwood is important for seaside landscaping.