''Buxus microphylla'', the Japanese box or littleleaf box, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
in the box
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
found in Japan and Taiwan.
It is a dwarf
evergreen
In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season. This also pertains to plants that retain their foliage only in warm climates, and contrasts with deciduous plants, whic ...
shrub or small
tree
In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...
growing to tall and wide.
Description
In the case of ''Buxus microphylla'' var. ''japonica'', the tree height is usually 1-3 m, but it can reach up to about 4 m; in rare cases it grows to 10 m. The trunk is upright and about 10 cm thick, and the bark is grayish white to pale brown.
The bright green leaves are long, oval with a rounded or notched tip.
[Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan .][Bean, W. J. (1976). ''Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles'' 8th ed., vol. 1. John Murray .] The species was first described from Japanese cultivated plants of an unknown origin. They are unknown in the wild.
Taxonomy
The scientific name for Japanese box is ''Buxus microphylla'' var. ''japonica''. Plants from Taiwan are distinguished as ''Buxus microphylla'' var. ''tarokoensis'' S.Y.Lu & Yuen P.Yang.
Plants from China and Korea, formerly often cited as ''Buxus microphylla'' var. ''sinica'', are now treated as a distinct species ''
Buxus sinica''.
Uses
The species is grown as an
ornamental plant
Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that ...
, both in its native area and elsewhere in temperate regions around the world.
[ Plants For A Future]
''Buxus microphylla''
Retrieved September 26, 2007. It is particularly suitable for
topiary
Topiary is the horticultural practice of training perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes, whether geometric or fanciful. The term also refers to plants w ...
or low hedging. ''Buxus microphylla'' var. ''compacta'' (Kingsville dwarf boxwood) and similar cultivars are frequently used for
bonsai.
The cultivar ‘Faulkner’ ( tall by broad) has gained the
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity.
The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nor ...
’s
Award of Garden Merit.
In Japan, the wood of ''Buxus microphylla'' var. ''japonica'' can be used to make a
''hanko'' (seal).
[https://www.inkan-takumi.com/service/material_tsuge.html (in Japanese) Inkan-takumi.com]
File:Fruit on Buxus microphylla, angled view.JPG, Fruit and foliage of a dwarf variety of ''Buxus microphylla'' ('Hohman's Dwarf')
File:Hanko made of Japanese box.jpg, Hanko made of Japanese box
References
microphylla
Trees of Korea
{{eudicot-stub