Buttonwood

Buttonwood is a common name applied to several tree species, with the most widely recognized being Conocarpus erectus, commonly known as buttonwood or button mangrove. This evergreen tree is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, including the Caribbean, Florida, Central America, and parts of northern South America. It is valued for its salt tolerance and ability to thrive in coastal environments.

Conocarpus erectus typically grows to about 15 to 25 meters tall and has smooth gray bark. Leaves are opposite, simple, and glossy, contributing to a dense, bushy or columnar form. Flowers are small and inconspicuous, and the fruit is a small woody capsule that resembles a button, which gives the tree its common name. The species often forms thickets in coastal hammocks and saline habitats and is frequently used in landscaping in tropical and subtropical regions due to its resilience and attractive appearance.

The name buttonwood has also appeared in reference to other trees in historical and regional contexts. In some older or regional sources, it has been applied to Platanus species such as the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), though this usage is less common today and Conocarpus erectus remains the primary modern reference.

Historical note: The Buttonwood Agreement of 1792, a foundational event in the history of the New York Stock Exchange, was reportedly signed under a buttonwood tree on Wall Street. The exact species of that tree is not definitively known, with various accounts suggesting different candidates.