Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew Okay. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean2
Introduction
This low-branching, multi-trunked, shrubby, evergreen tree has glaucous medium-green leaves. The inconspicuous, small, greenish flowers seem in dense cone-like heads in terminal panicles in spring and are adopted by 1/2-inch, cone-like, red-brown fruits. The darkish brown engaging bark is ridged and scaly. The tree is ‘clear’ with small leaves which fall between the grass blades of the garden or are simply washed away within the rain.
Determine 1.
Full Type—Conocarpus erectus: Buttonwood
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Normal Info
Scientific identify: Conocarpus erectus
Pronunciation: kawn-oh-KAR-pus ee-RECK-tus
Widespread identify(s): Buttonwood
Household: Combretaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 10B by way of 11 (Determine 2)
Origin: native to Florida, the Caribbean, and South America
UF/IFAS Invasive Evaluation Standing: native
Makes use of: specimen; avenue with out sidewalk; display; deck or patio; hedge; reclamation; car parking zone island < 100 sq ft; parking lot island 100–200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); tree garden 3–Four toes vast; tree garden 4–6 toes vast; tree garden > 6 ft vast; city tolerant; freeway median; bonsai; shade
Determine 2.
Vary
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Description
Peak: 30 to 45 toes
Unfold: 20 to 30 toes
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown form: vase, spreading
Crown density: reasonable
Progress charge: reasonable
Texture: positive
Foliage
Leaf association: alternate
Leaf kind: easy
Leaf margin: whole
Leaf form: lanceolate, rectangular
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf kind and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade size: 1 to Four inches
Leaf shade: darkish inexperienced and easy
Fall shade: no shade change
Fall attribute: not showy
Determine 3.
Leaf—Conocarpus erectus: Buttonwood
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Flower
Flower shade: inexperienced
Flower traits: not showy; emerge in clusters on spherical, compact heads which are organized on branched panicles
Flowering: spring to early fall
Determine 4.
Flower—Conocarpus erectus: Buttonwood
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Fruit
Fruit form: spherical
Fruit size: ½ inch
Fruit overlaying: dry or laborious
Fruit shade: purple-brown, crimson
Fruit traits: doesn’t entice wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves not a litter downside
Fruiting: year-round
Determine 5.
Fruit—Conocarpus erectus: Buttonwood
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Trunk and Branches
Trunk/branches: branches droop; showy; usually multi-trunked; no thorns
Bark: grey and easy, changing into scaly, fissured, and darker with age
Pruning requirement: wanted for sturdy construction
Breakage: resistant
Present yr twig shade: inexperienced
Present yr twig thickness: skinny
Wooden particular gravity: unknown
Determine 6.
Bark—Conocarpus erectus: Buttonwood
Credit score:Gritta Hasing
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Tradition
Mild requirement: full solar
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; moist; well-drained
Drought tolerance: excessive
Aerosol salt tolerance: excessive
Different
Roots: not an issue
Winter curiosity: no
Excellent tree: no
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown
Pest resistance: free of significant pests and ailments
Use and Administration
Able to reaching a top of 40 toes with a 20-foot unfold, buttonwood is commonly seen as a small, considerably asymmetrical shrub however is right to be used as a display, clipped hedge, or specimen planting. The species is much less widespread and grows taller than the silver buttonwood. Because of the engaging bark and mushy foliage, a multi-stemmed specimen could make a pleasant patio or avenue tree. Planted within the open as a tree, buttonwood will develop to about 20 to 25 toes tall and vast, and can usually tackle a picturesque, contorted look when uncovered to fixed seashore winds, creating a beautiful specimen. The crown is extra symmetrical 1/2 mile or extra from the coast or on the inland facet of a tall ocean-front constructing. The wooden of buttonwood was previously used for firewood, cabinetwork, and charcoal making and may be very sturdy. It is a perfect wooden for smoking meats and fish. Included or embedded bark usually develops in main department crotches, however the sturdy wooden seems to compensate for this potential defect. Bushes are powerful and long-lasting within the panorama.
A Florida native, buttonwood is right for seaside plantings as it’s extremely tolerant of full solar, sandy soils, and salty circumstances. It additionally tolerates brackish areas and alkaline soils, thriving within the damaged shade and moist soils of hammocks. It is a powerful tree! It withstands the trials of city circumstances very effectively and makes a sturdy avenue or car parking zone tree. As a consequence of its small dimension, plant on 15-foot facilities to kind a closed cover alongside a avenue. Buy single-trunked timber for avenue and car parking zone plantings.
The cultivar ‘Mombo’ has a dense crown and could also be smaller than the species, 15 to 20 toes tall.
Pests
Sucking insect secretions will lead to issues with sooty mildew on timber inland from the coast.
Illnesses
No ailments are of main concern.
Reference
Koeser, A. Okay., Hasing, G., Friedman, M. H., and Irving, R. B. 2015. Bushes: North & Central Florida. Gainesville: College of Florida Institute of Meals and Agricultural Sciences.
U.S. Division of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, College of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M College Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.