Common Name: Box

General Information

Buxus sempervirens is a spreading, evergreen shrub or a small tree that can grow up to 9 metres tall, though is usually less than 5 metres[].
The plant produces a high quality wood that is much valued by woodworkers. It also has medicinal applications but is somewhat toxic and is little used in modern herbalism. It is commonly grown in gardens, its wide range of cultivars being used as hedges, dwarf edging etc.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the leaves and bark[].

Botanical References

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Range

Europe - Britain to Spain, east to Germany and Greece[ W. Asia - Turkey, Caucasus, Iran; N. Africa - Morocco to Libya

Habitat

Beechwood and scrub, usually on chalk and limestone[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Buxus sempervirens is a very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -23°c, though it prefers milder winters[].
Succeeds in almost any soil that is well-drained[, ], preferring light shade and chalky soils[, , , ]. Succeeds in dry shade[]. Tolerates a pH range from 5.5 to 7.4[].
A very polymorphic species, it is a very ornamental but slow growing plant[] and there are many named varieties developed for their ornamental value[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[, ].
A good bee plant[].
Plants are very tolerant of being trimmed, they can be cut right back to the base if required and will usually resprout freely[, ].
The foliage is pungently scented, especially when wet[].

Edible Uses

The leaves have been used in France as a substitute for hops (Humulus lupulus) in making beer[]. They cannot be very wholesome, and would probably prove to be injurious[].

Medicinal

Although it has been used medicinally in the past as a sedative and to treat syphilis, box is very rarely used in modern herbalism[]. The bark and leaves contain a number of alkaloids[].

The leaves and the bark are alterative, antirheumatic, cathartic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, febrifuge, oxytocic and vermifuge[, , , , ]. The leaves have been used as a quinine substitute in the treatment of malaria[]. The leaves are harvested in the spring, before the plant comes into flower, and they are dried for later use[]. The bark can be harvested at any time of the year and is dried for use in decoctions[]. Use this remedy with caution and preferably only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The plant has not been fully tested for its toxic side effects[, ].

The wood is diaphoretic, in full dose it is narcotic and sedative, in overdose it is convulsant and emetico-cathartic[]. A tincture of the wood has been used as a bitter tonic and antiperiodic, it has also had a reputation for curing leprosy[]. A volatile oil distilled from the wood has been prescribed in cases of epilepsy[].

An essential oil obtained from the plant is used in dentistry[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[]. It is extensively used in the treatment of rheumatism[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Box makes an excellent hedge from 45cm to 4.5 metres tall according to the variety grown[, ]. It is quite slow growing but very tolerant of cutting and is often used in topiary, where the hedge is trimmed into different forms for ornamental effect[].

Other Uses

The leaves and sawdust, boiled in lye, have been used to dye hair an auburn colour[].

The heartwood is an attractive yellow colour; it is not demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is very fine and even, the grain close. The wood is very hard, heavy and very durable. It splits easily. Although the wood is rather small, it is highly valued on account of its hardness and durability - it is twice as hard as oak (Quercus species)[, ]. It is used for engraving, printing blocks, bowls, combs, bobbins, rulers, buttons, musical instruments etc[, , , , , , , ]. The root especially is much liked by turners and cabinet makers[].

Propagation

Seed - stratification is not necessary but can lead to more regular germination[]. The seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c but stored seed can take longer[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of short side shoots with a heel, September in a frame[]. High percentage[]. Rather slow to root[].
Nodal cuttings in spring in a frame. Fairly easy[].