Mexican buttonbush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mexican buttonbush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cephalanthus
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| Species: |
salicifolius
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| Synonyms | |
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Cephalanthus salicifolius, also known as the Mexican buttonbush, is a cool flowering plant. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family. People also call it mimbre, botoncillo, or Jazmin blanco. This plant grows naturally in a wide area. You can find it from the southern part of the Rio Grande in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties of Texas. Its range continues through much of Mexico, from Coahuila to Oaxaca. There is even a separate group of these plants found far away in Honduras.
Where Does the Mexican Buttonbush Grow?
Like other plants in its group, the Mexican buttonbush loves wet places. It grows well in the damp soil near rivers, called riparian zones. You can also find it in swamps and along the edges of ponds. This plant needs plenty of water to thrive.
What Does the Mexican Buttonbush Look Like?
The Mexican buttonbush is a deciduous plant. This means its leaves fall off every year, usually in the autumn. It can be a shrub or a small tree. It typically grows to be about 8 to 18 feet (2.4 to 5.5 meters) tall. It can also spread out, becoming 4 to 10 feet (1.2 to 3 meters) wide.
Leaves, Flowers, and Fruit
The leaves of this plant are shaped like an oblong. They can grow up to 12 centimeters (about 4.7 inches) long. They are also about 23 millimeters (about 0.9 inches) wide.
The Mexican buttonbush produces pretty white flowers. These flowers usually appear from March to July. After the flowers, the plant makes fruit. This fruit is a collection of small brown parts called nutlets.
