#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

July 24, 2017 Kelly DuMar

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Cephalanthus occidentalis Common buttonbush, Buttonbush, Button willow Common buttonbush is a multi-stemmed shrub which grows 6-12 ft. or occasionally taller. Leaves in pairs or in threes, petiolate; blade up to 8 inches long, ovate to narrower, sometimes 1/3 or less as wide as long, with a pointed tip and rounded to tapered base, smooth margins and glossy upper surface, lower surface duller. Glossy, dark-green leaves lack significant fall color. Flowers small, borne in distinctive, dense, spherical clusters (heads) with a fringe of pistils protruded beyond the white corollas. Long-lasting, unusual blossoms are white or pale-pink, one-inch globes. Subsequent rounded masses of nutlets persist through the winter. Trunks are often twisted. Spreading, much-branched shrub or sometimes small tree with many branches (often crooked and leaning), irregular crown, balls of white flowers resembling pincushions, and button like balls of fruit. Buttonbush is a handsome ornamental suited to wet soils and is also a honey plant. Ducks and other water birds and shorebirds consume the seeds.

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ceoc2

An early ferry, a drive home, a walk with the dogs in the rain by the river. A short trip off island today. First, I pass the grapevine at the river's edge, spreading wildly all along the bank, running tendrils across the trail. Then, I spy the buttonbush in full bloom at the soggy edge of the Charles, a delightful surprise to come home to. Even in the downpour, I want to walk so much farther into the woods and meadows. I want to be surprised, again and again, with the vibrant weeds and wildflowers of New England summer. I am under the spell of the buttonbush, this morning, such a playful, gorgeous wonderful plant. Too soon I am out of time and must return home.

Grape Leaves