Sarcococca | |
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Sarcococca humilis | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Buxales |
Family: | Buxaceae |
Genus: | Sarcococca Lindl. |
Species | |
See text |
Sarcococca (sweet box or Christmas box)[1][2] is a genus of flowering plants in the box 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.
As of January 2025, the genus Sarcococca contains 15 accepted species.[3][4] The genus is predominantly native to Asia, with more than half of Sarcococca species native to China,[5] however one species (Sarcococca conzattii) is native to southern Mexico (Oaxaca) and Guatemala.[6][7]
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 genus is 14 (2n = 28).[9]
The genus name Sarcococca comes from the Greek σάρξ (sárx) and κόκκος (kókkos) for "fleshy berry", referring to the black fruit.[10]
For Sarcococca, diploids with 2n=28 (less frequently, tetraploids) are recorded.
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