Brass-buttons (Cotula coronopifolia, Sp. Pl.: 892 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 892 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cotula

Vegetable: False

Observations: Angola to S. Africa

Description

Brass-buttons (Cotula coronopifolia)

Cotula coronopifolia, commonly known as Brass-buttons, is a species within the Asteraceae family. This hardy, herbaceous plant is recognized for its small, button-like yellow flower heads, which are both striking and unique in appearance. The plant gets its common name from these distinctive, rounded flowers, which resemble brass buttons.

Native to regions spanning from Angola to South Africa, Brass-buttons thrive in a variety of habitats, often favoring wetter environments such as marshes, ditches, and edges of water bodies. The plant’s adaptive nature allows it to prosper in both saline and freshwater conditions, making it a versatile species within its native range.

Brass-buttons exhibit a prostrate to somewhat ascending growth habit. The leaves are fleshy, pinnate, and can vary in shape, often appearing somewhat succulent, which helps the plant retain moisture in its often challenging habitat. These characteristics enable Brass-buttons to withstand the variable climate conditions within its native geographical range.

The flowers of Cotula coronopifolia bloom predominantly throughout the warmer months. The small, yellow disk flowers are densely packed within the inflorescence, each measuring only a few millimeters across. Despite their diminutive size, they attract a variety of pollinators, contributing to the ecological diversity of their habitat.

Initially described by Carl Linnaeus and included in his seminal work Species Plantarum, published in 1753, Cotula coronopifolia has intrigued botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Its robust and adaptable nature, combined with its charming floral display, makes it a species of interest not just in its native regions but also in botanical collections and gardens worldwide.

Brass-buttons is not only appreciated for its ornamental value but also studied for its resilience and adaptability, offering insights into plant survival strategies in various environmental conditions. The plant remains a subject of ecological and horticultural studies, contributing valuable knowledge to the fields of botany and environmental science.

Common Names

Eng: brass-buttons, buttonweed, common brassbuttons, bachelor’s-button, water cotula, waterbuttons, common brass-buttons, bachelor’s buttons, brass buttons, yellow buttons
Fra: cotule pied-de corbeau, cotule, cotule à feuilles de sénebière, cotule pied-de-corbeau, cotule à feuilles de sènebière
Dan: firkløft, gul iris
Nld: goudknopje
Fin: keltakurjenmiekka
Deu: krähenfusslaugenblume, krähenfuß-laugenblume, krähenfußblättrige laugenblume, laugenblume, wasserknopf
Ita: margherita sudafricana
Nor: sverdlilje
Swe: svärdslilja, trädgårdsiris, tuviris, strandkotula, kotula, kråkfot
Spa: cotula
Afr: eendjieskweek, gansgras
Cym: blodau botwm, blodyn botwm, chwynfotwm
Gla: cnaipín
Nob: fjæreknapp
Nno: fjøreknapp
En: Brass-buttons, Water cotula, Bachelor’s-button, Buttonweed, Waterbuttons, Common brassbuttons, Brassbuttons, Common waterbuttons, Bachelor’s buttons, Yellow buttons, Common brass-buttons, Brass Buttons
Af: Eendjieskweek, Gansgras
Da: Firkløft, Gul Iris
Nl: Goudknopje
Fi: Nappikotula, Keltakurjenmiekka
Fr: Cotule, Cotule à feuilles de sénebière, Cotule pied-de-corbeau, Cotule pied-de corbeau, Cotule à feuilles de sènebière
De: Wasserknopf, Krähenfuß-Laugenblume, Krähenfusslaugenblume, Krähenfußblättrige Laugenblume, Laugenblume
It: Margherita sudafricana
No: Fjæreknapp, Fjøreknapp, Sverdlilje
Nb: Fjæreknapp
Nn: Fjøreknapp
Gd: Cnaipín
Es: Cotula, Botón de oro, Choquejawa
Sv: Strandkotula, Kotula, Svärdslilja, Trädgårdsiris, Tuviris, Kråkfot
Cy: Blodyn botwm, Blodau Botwm, Chwynfotwm

Synonyms

• Lancisia coronopifolia ((L.) Rydb.)
• Cotula coronopifolia var. integrifolia (Rodway)
• Cotula integrifolia (Hook.f.)
• Cotula montevidensis (Spreng.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kuril Is. (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 25, 2021 by Francesca (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Nigel Nigel Voaden (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Andreas Lang (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 16, 2020 by angel Sandra (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 18, 2020 by elocks aube (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2020 by ba mad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by av br y fac (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2016 by EOL − quanwei (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 29, 2021 by Annemiek Galesloot (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 30, 2021 by nacho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3112110)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:198443-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cotula coronopifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 7

Soil salinity: 3