Sarcococca
Genus of flowering plants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sarcococca, nicknamed sweet box or Christmas box,[1][2] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Buxaceae. native to eastern and southeastern Asia, and the Himalayas, with one species native to Central America. They are slow-growing, monoecious, evergreen shrubs 1–2 m (3–7 ft) tall. The leaves are borne alternately, 3–12 cm long and 1–4 cm broad.
| Sarcococca | |
|---|---|
| |
| Sarcococca humilis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Buxales |
| Family: | Buxaceae |
| Genus: | Sarcococca Lindl. |
| Species | |
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See text | |
Distribution and habitat
Physical characteristics
The plants bear fragrant white flowers, often in winter. The fruit is a red or black drupe containing 1–3 seeds. Some species are cultivated as groundcover or low hedging in moist, shady areas.[8] The basic chromosome number for the genus is 14 (2n = 28).[9]
Name origin
The genus name Sarcococca comes from the Greek σάρξ (sárx) and κόκκος (kókkos) for "fleshy berry", referring to the black fruit.[10]
Selected species
- Sarcococca confusa Sealy – Sweet box
- Sarcococca conzattii (Standl.) I.M.Johnst.
- Sarcococca hookeriana Baill.
- Sarcococca humilis Stapf
- Sarcococca longifolia M. Cheng
- Sarcococca longipetiolata M. Cheng
- Sarcococca orientalis C. Y. Wu
- Sarcococca pruniformis (Saracodine courier)
- Sarcococca ruscifolia Stapf
- Sarcococca saligna (D. Don) Mull.-Arg.
- Sarcococca vagans Stapf
- Sarcococca wallichii Stapf
- Sarcococca zeylanica Baill.
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