button-wood; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the pentandra class of plants. There are two species, the erecta and procumbens, both natives of the West Indies. They rise to the height of about 16 feet, but are trees of no beauty, nor is the wood of them used for any mechanic purpose in the countries where they grow naturally. They are, however, preserved in some botanic gardens in Britain, for the sake of variety.