Silver Damas (Conocarpus Erectus)

Silver Damas, commonly known as Buttonwood or Damas Tree, is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree belonging to the Combretaceae family. It is native to coastal regions of the Americas, including the southern United States, the Caribbean, and parts of South America. While the tree can grow up to 4 m tall, it is often maintained at a smaller size, commonly around 1 m, especially in landscaped settings. It has a dense, rounded crown with dark green, glossy, oval-shaped leaves measuring about 5 cm in length. The leaves are alternately arranged and have a tough, leathery texture.

The tree produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers during spring and summer, followed by woody, button-like fruits containing a single seed. Silver Damas is a hardy and adaptable plant that tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including sandy and saline soils. Its resilience and tolerance to urban pollution make it a popular choice for landscaping, hedging, and street planting.

Caring for your Silver Damas

Difficulty level: Easy
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Watering schedule: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil type: Sandy, loamy, or saline soil; well-draining preferred
Humidity: Low to moderate
Fertilization: Every 2–3 months during growing season
Pruning: Prune regularly to maintain shape and size
Pet friendliness: Non-toxic