''Sarcococca orientalis'' is a species in the genus ''
Sarcococca'' in the plant family
Buxaceae. It is commonly known as Christmas box or sweet box. It is native to
Jiangxi province of south-east China, and forms a small evergreen shrub, preferring positions with some shade. The
ovate-lanceolate leaves are
cuneate
Cuneate means "wedge-shaped", and can apply to:
* Cuneate leaf, a leaf shape
* Cuneate nucleus, a part of the brainstem
* Cuneate fasciculus
Cuneate means "wedge-shaped", and can apply to:
* Cuneate leaf, a leaf shape
* Cuneate nucleus, a part ...
at the base and can reach 9 cm in length. The leaves are longer than the leaves of the commonly cultivated
''S.confusa''[Haw, S. G., ''Broad-leaved Evergreens'', Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd., 2000, p105] and broader than
''S. hookeriana''. The pink-tinged white flowers are inconspicuous but sweetly scented, and appear along the branches in midwinter, their scent most noticeable during mild spells. The small fruits (
drupes) are black.
References
Flora of China
orientalis
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