Sarcococca

Taxobox
name = "Sarcococca"


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Sarcococca hookeriana" var. "humilis"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Buxales
familia = Buxaceae
genus = "Sarcococca"
genus_authority = Lindl.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text

"Sarcococca" (Sweet box) is a genus of 16-20 species of flowering plants in the family Buxaceae, native to eastern and southeastern Asia and the Himalaya. They are slow-growing evergreen shrubs 1-2 m tall. The leaves are borne alternately, 3-12 cm long and 1-4 cm broad. They bear fragrant flowers, often in winter. The fruit is a red or black drupe containing 1-3 seeds. Some species are cultivated for ground cover in shady areas. This Sarcococca can be placed in semi-shade or shade. This plant flowers from December till around March. The height of this plant is 80 cm approximately. Pruning is not recommended. Evergreen. Before planting submerge the plant in a bucket of water for about 10 minutes.

;Selected species
*"Sarcococca hookeriana" Baill. (including "S. hookeriana" var. "humilis", syn. "S. humilis")
*"Sarcococca longifolia" M. Cheng
*"Sarcococca longipetiolata" M. Cheng
*"Sarcococca orientalis" C. Y. Wu
*"Sarcococca ruscifolia" Stapf
*"Sarcococca saligna" (D. Don) Mull.-Arg.
*"Sarcococca vagans" Stapf
*"Sarcococca wallichii" Stapf

References

* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=129205 Flora of Pakistan: "Sarcococca"]
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=3&taxon_id=129205 Flora of China: "Sarcococca" species list]