Cephalanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae.

[3][4] They are shrubs or small trees growing to 5–15 m (16–49 ft) tall.

[citation needed] Cephalanthus occidentalis is native to the eastern United States and Canada.

The others occur in tropical regions of the Americas, Africa and Asia.

[11] The following five extant species are accepted:[1][4][12] Sixteen fossil mericarps of †Cephalanthus pusillus have been described from middle Miocene strata of the Fasterholt area near Silkeborg in Central Jutland, Denmark.