Silver Damas (Conocarpus Erectus)

Silver Damas, commonly known as the Buttonwood or Damas Tree 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 it can grow up to 4 m tall, it is often maintained at a smaller size of around 1 m through pruning, making it suitable for urban and landscape use.

The tree features a dense, rounded crown with dark green, glossy, oval-shaped leaves that measure about 5 cm in length. The leaves are alternately arranged along the branches and have a tough, leathery texture. Silver 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 harsh urban conditions, making 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 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