Taxon

Buxus sempervirens

 
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Buxus sempervirens - common boxwood, European boxwood
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Common name: common boxwood, European boxwood
Family: Buxaceae (Boxwood)
Distribution: Europe to N Iran, N Africa
Habitat: Forest, shrubland, rocky areas; 65-6560ft (20-2000m)
Hardiness: -20 - 20 F
Life form: Evergreen shrub/sub-shrub
Pest resistance: Resists deer, rabbits
Plant size: 5-15' tall by 5-15' wide (1.5-4.5 x 1.5-4.5 meters)
Bloom Time: April-May
Foliage characteristics: Elliptic to oval leaves, are simple, opposite, smooth margined, and glossy green. .5-1.5" (1.27-3.8 cm) long.
Fruit characteristics: Brown capsule which dehisces when ripe. .33" (.83 cm) across.
Medicinal/pharmaceutical: Historically, boxwood has been used as a sedative and as treatments for syphilis, rheumatism, epilepsy and malaria. Currently, it is being studied as a treatment for Alzheimer's.
Ethnobotanical uses: Historically, the wood was popular for carving, and making into boxes and musical instruments.
Poisonous/toxic: Mildly toxic; can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, convulsions, or respiratory failure if consumed. Sap can cause skin irritation.
Structure: Round
Bloom characteristics: Inconspicuous flowers do not have petals and are pale green to yellow.
Bark characteristics: Brown with wings on young stems
Description: In the wild, boxwoods grow in open, rocky areas and can grow as large as small trees. They are characteristic shrubs of sub-Mediterranean Europe. In cultivation, boxwoods are most often found planted as hedges, or painstakingly trimmed into topiary shapes. In ideal conditions, they can live anywhere from 70-150 years.
Links: IUCN Red List • Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants • Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder

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