Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) Seeds

This showy shrub is visited by many different species. The name of this shrub comes from the interesting flowers, which are arranged in small spheres with protruding anthers. Its tiny white flowers bloom all summer and are attractive to many different bee and butterfly species, including the swallowtail butterfly. Fruiting heads appear throughout the winter and are consumed by many waterfowl and shorebirds. Although the flowers and seeds are consumed, the foliage is poisonous to livestock and other animals.