The genus Conocarpus is composed of 2 species native to North America [1] and the shores of tropical America and Africa [1]. The word conocarpus means “cone fruit,” in reference to the cone-like rounded fruits.

Other Common Names: asokolo, asopolo, botoncahui, botoncillo, botonillo, button- bush, button mangrove, button-tree, chene guadeloupe, conocarpe droit, estachahuite, Florida button, Florida buttonwood, geli, gray mangrove, grey mangrove, grignon, grijze mangle, grijze mangrove, iztac-cuahuitl, jele, kaba, k’an-chik’-inche, kanche, k’ank-ank-che, k’ank­che, madre de sal, mangel, mangel blancu, mangle, mangle blanco, mangle boton, mangle botoncillo, mangle cenizo, mangle garbancillo, mangle gris, mangle jeli, mangle lloroso, mangle marequita, mangle negro, mangle pinuelo, mangle prieto, mangle roche, mangle torcido, mangle zaragoza, manglier, manglier gris, mangrovia grigia, mangue, mangue branco, mangue de botao, maraquito, n ja, paletuvier, paletuvier gris, pash-ch’uhnul, pat­aban, saragosa, silver buttonwood, taabche, tabche, witte mangel, witte mangro, wortel­boom, x-kanche, xtabche, yana, zaragosa, zaragoza mangrove.

Distribution: Native to the silt shores of coasts and islands of Florida, including the Flor­ida Keys. Also widely distributed on coasts of tropical America from Bermuda and Bahamas through West Indies, including Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. From Mexico south on the Atlantic coast to Brazil and on the Pacific coast to Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands and Peru. On coasts of west Africa and in Melanesia and Polynesia. The genus Cornus contains about 40 species which grow in the northern temperate regions of the world. The name cornus is derived from the Latin name of the type species Corn us mas L., Cornelian-cherry of Europe, from the word for horn (cornu), referring to the hardness of the wood.

The Tree: Buttonwood occurs in tidal lagoons and bays of brackish water. It forms dense thickets of shrubby growth, but becomes tree-like when growing alone. Flowers and fruits are produced year round. The tree reaches heights of 60 ft (18 m) and a diameter of 3 ft (1 m). The bark is thick and has broad plates of thin scales which are gray to brown. The bark is rich in tannins.

 

Mechanical propertiesa

 

 

Drying and shrinkagea

Percentage of shrinkage (green to final moisture content)

Type of shrinkage        0% MC        6% MC 20% MC

Tangential        8.5        NA        NA

Radial        5.4        NA        NA

Volumetric        14.6        NA        NA

a Reference (59).

Working Properties: Buttonwood is not easy to work, but it finishes smoothly. Durability: Moderately resistant to heartwood decay.

Preservation: No information available at this time. Uses: Durable construction, fuel, charcoal.

Toxicity: No information available at this time.

Page url: http://www.yourdomain.com/help/index.html?buttonwoodconocarpuserectus.htm