Buxus microphylla
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| Buxus microphylla Siebold & Zucc. |
Buxus microphylla (Japanese Box or Littleleaf Box) is a species of Buxus native to Japan and Taiwan.[1]
It is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 2–3 m tall. The leaves are bright green, 10–25 mm long, oval with a rounded or notched tip.[2][3]
The species was first described from cultivated plants of in Japan of unknown origin; these are dwarf shrubs only growing to 1 m tall, with small leaves less than 18 mm long. Wild box plants in Japan differ somewhat, growing to 2–3 m tall with leaves up to 25 mm long; they are sometimes distinguished as Buxus microphylla var. japonica (Muell.-Arg.) Rehder & Wilson (syn. B. japonica Muell.-Arg.).[1][3]
Plants from Taiwan are distinguished as Buxus microphylla var. tarokoensis S.Y.Lu & Y.P.Yang.[4]
Plants from China and Korea formerly often cited as Buxus microphylla var. sinica are now treated as a distinct species Buxus sinica.[5]
The species is grown as an ornamental plant both in its native area and elsewhere in temperate regions of the world.[6]
Buxus microphylla var. compacta (Kingsville Dwarf Boxwood) and similar cultivars are commonly used for bonsai.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Germplasm Resources Information Network: Buxus microphylla
- ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ a b Bean, W. J. (1976). Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles 8th ed., vol. 1. John Murray ISBN 0-7195-1790-7.
- ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Buxus microphylla var. tarokoensis
- ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Buxus microphylla var. sinica
- ^ Plants For A Future: Buxus microphylla
