Green Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)
Common Name Green Buttonwood
Latin Name Conocarpus erectus
Family Combretaceae
Native Yes
Zone 10B-11
Height 30-40 Feet
Spread 20-30 Feet
Salt Water Tolerance Good
Salt Wind Tolerance High
Drought Tolerance High
Soil Tolerates most soils
Sun Grows in full sun
Wildlife Attractant Tantalus Sphinx and Martial Scrub-Hairstreak
Main Uses
The Green Buttonwood Conocarpus erectus is a great tree for coastal planting. Its high salt and drought tolerances provide a great screen for privacy.
Considered a front line tree, the Green Buttonwood is tolerant of extreme exposure to salt spray.
It can be used for hedging, as a shade tree, and a specimen plant.
It is said to also have been used for smoking meats and fish, as well as for cabinetry and charcoal making due to its strength.
The Green Buttonwood is a Florida native tree and is known for its tenacity. Full sun, high alkaline soil, and salty air, are all ideal conditions, making it the perfect tree for south Florida and coastal areas.
Appearance
The Green Buttonwood ages very nicely with the bark of the tree contorting and twisting with age. It can also be trimmed and shaped easily. Rough seashore winds add its nice patina.
Wildlife Attractant
It is said to be a larval host plant and nectar source for the rare Martial Scrub-Hairstreak butterfly, and the Tantalus Sphinx moth.
