Damas (Conocarpus Erectus)

Damas, commonly known as the Buttonwood and scientifically called Conocarpus erectus, is a hardy 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 in height, it is often maintained at a smaller size of around 1 m through regular pruning, making it suitable for landscaping and urban use.

The tree features a dense, rounded crown with dark green, glossy, oval-shaped leaves measuring about 5 cm in length. The leaves are arranged alternately along the branches and have a tough, leathery texture. Damas produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers during the spring and summer, followed by woody capsule-like fruits containing a single seed. Highly adaptable, this tree tolerates sandy and salty soils as well as challenging urban conditions, which makes it a popular choice for street planting, hedging, and landscape design.

Caring for your Damas

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