A shrub three to eight feet high. Leaves. - Opposite or whorled in threes, somewhat oblong and pointed. Flowers. - Small, white, closely crowded in round button-like heads. Calyx. - Four-toothed. Corolla. - Four-toothed. Stamens. - Four. Pistil. - One, with a thread-like protruding style and blunt stigma.

This pretty shrub borders the streams and swamps throughout the country. Its button-like flower-clusters appear in midsummer. It belongs to the family of which the delicate bluet and fragrant partridge vine are also members. Its flowers have a jasmine-like fragrance.