Buxus sempervirens, L.

1. B. sempervirens L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 983 (1753).

Shrub or small tree 2-5(-8) m, mainly glabrous but with persistent, whitish pubescence on proximal part of leaf and usually on the 4-angled young shoots. Leaves 15-30 x 7-15 mm, dark, glossy green above, paler beneath, ovate, oblong or elliptical, usually emarginate, shortly petiolate; margin somewhat revolute. Inflorescence c. 5 mm in diameter, with ovate, acute bracteoles; male flowers sessile. Anthers 1-2 mm. Capsule c. 7 mm, broadly oblong; styles c. 2- 5 mm in fruit, patent, straight. Seeds 5-6 mm, black, glossy. Usually on dry, base-rich soils. S. W. & W.C. Europe; gregarious and locally abundant, but absent from wide areas. Al Au Be Br Co Ga Ge Gr He Hs It Ju Lu Sa *Tu [Az Rm],

Several cultivars are known in gardens, the commonest being a dwarf one used for edging of flower-beds.