Wetland Shrubs
Buttonbush
(Cephalanthus occidentalis)
A shrub or tree about 8’ tall, Buttonbush prefers wet roots but not standing water. Unless suckers are removed, it will colonize, providing more habitat and food for wildlife. The blooms are a ball of fragrant white flowers which pollinators adore.
CEOC2, OBL
Halberd leaf hibiscus
(Hibiscus militaris)
This hibiscus has white, sometimes pink, blossoms with maroon or purple centers like several other native hibiscus species, but its leaves are often hastate, like the shape of the Tesla logo. It will grow to 6’ tall but can be cut back to become more branching. It prefers consistently moist soil and sun or part sun. It goes dormant in winter and new shoots will emerge from the base in spring.
HILA2, OBL
Wooley rose mallow
(Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. lasiocarpos )
Soft fuzzy leaves give this plant its name, but perhaps the most striking thing about Wooley rose mallow is its large, 4” white or pinkish flowers with a maroon center. The shrub grows to 5’. It can be cut to the ground in winter when it goes dormant, or left standing for the insects, like certain native bees, which hibernate in the stems. New growth emerges from the bottom of the stem in spring.
HIMO, OBL
Virginia saltmarshmallow
(Kosteletzkya virginica)
If you think it looks like a hibiscus, you’re close—Virginia saltmarsh mallow shares the same family. The 2” wide pink hibiscus-like blooms appear in summer. Tolerant of salty soils near the bays, this 3’ to 5’ plant also does well in damp garden soil. Don't let the name fool you--Virginia saltmarsh mallow is as Texan as they come.
KOVI, OBL
Mexican water primrose
(Ludwigia octovalvis)
Of the same family as the native Evening primrose wildflowers, Mexican water primrose breaks out in yellow flowers all summer, until magnificent sphinx moth caterpillars eat the foliage in the fall. It reseeds readily. It will go dormant in winter, then new shoots up to 3’ tall emerge from the base in spring. Mexican water primrose like full sun and damp soil, but will also tolerate garden soil.
LUOC, OBL
About the Plant Codes
The US Department of Agriculture codes plant species with a “symbol” that begins with the first two letters of the botanical name. Thus the symbol for Delta arrowhead, Sagittaria platyphylla, is SAPL. Wetland Indicator Status is the chance of a species being found in a wetland and non-wetland setting. The main use is to determine if a community of plants constitutes a wetland, and what the extents of the wetland may be (i.e., wetland delineation). Green Star specializes in OBL, FACW, and FAC species.