Buxus microphylla

Buxus microphylla
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Buxales
Family: Buxaceae
Genus: Buxus
Species: B. microphylla
Binomial name
Buxus microphylla
Siebold & Zucc.
Fruit and foliage of a dwarf variety of Buxus microphylla (Hohman's Dwarf)

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 metres (6 ft 7 in–9 ft 10 in) tall. The leaves are bright green, 10–25 millimetres (0.39–0.98 in) long, oval with a rounded or notched tip.[2][3]

The species was first described from Japanese cultivated plants of an unknown origin; these are dwarf shrubs that only grow to a height of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in), possessing small leaves less than 18 millimetres (0.71 in) long. Wild box plants in Japan differ somewhat, growing to be 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 around the world.[6]

Buxus microphylla var. compacta (Kingsville dwarf boxwood) and similar cultivars are frequently used for bonsai.

References

  1. 1 2 Germplasm Resources Information Network: Buxus microphylla Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  2. ↑ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
  3. 1 2 Bean, W. J. (1976). Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles 8th ed., vol. 1. John Murray ISBN 0-7195-1790-7.
  4. ↑ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Buxus microphylla var. tarokoensis Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  5. ↑ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Buxus microphylla var. sinica Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  6. ↑ Plants For A Future: Buxus microphylla Retrieved September 26, 2007.
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