Buxus microphylla
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Buxus microphylla HabitusLeaves BotGardBln0906.JPG
|image_caption =
| status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
|genus = Buxus
|species = microphylla
}}
Buxus microphylla, the Japanese box or littleleaf box, is a species of flowering plant in the box family
found in Japan and Taiwan.{{GRIN | accessdate=September 26, 2007}} It is a dwarf evergreen shrub or small tree growing to {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall and wide.
Description
In the case of Buxus microphylla var. japonica, the tree height is usually 1-3 m, but it can reach up to about 4 m; in rare cases it grows to 10 m. The trunk is upright and about 10 cm thick, and the bark is grayish white to pale brown.
The bright green leaves are {{convert|10|–|25|mm}} long, oval with a rounded or notched tip.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan {{ISBN|0-333-47494-5}}.Bean, W. J. (1976). Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles 8th ed., vol. 1. John Murray {{ISBN|0-7195-1790-7}}. The species was first described from Japanese cultivated plants of an unknown origin. They are unknown in the wild.
Taxonomy
The scientific name for Japanese box is Buxus microphylla var. japonica. Plants from Taiwan are distinguished as Buxus microphylla var. tarokoensis S.Y.Lu & Yuen P.Yang.{{GRIN | Buxus microphylla var. tarokoensis | 448512 | accessdate = September 26, 2007}} Plants from China and Korea, formerly often cited as Buxus microphylla var. sinica, are now treated as a distinct species Buxus sinica.{{GRIN | Buxus microphylla var. sinica | 8210 | accessdate = September 26, 2007}}
Uses
The species is grown as an ornamental plant, both in its native area and elsewhere in temperate regions around the world.Plants For A Future: [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Buxus+microphylla Buxus microphylla] Retrieved September 26, 2007. It is particularly suitable for topiary or low hedging. Buxus microphylla var. compacta (Kingsville dwarf boxwood) and similar cultivars are frequently used for bonsai.
The cultivar 'Faulkner' ({{convert|1|m|ft}} tall by {{convert|1.5|m|ft}} broad) has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web
| url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/49533/i-Buxus-microphylla-i-Faulkner/Details
| title = RHS Plantfinder - Buxus microphylla 'Faulkner'
| accessdate=12 January 2018}}
In Japan, the wood of Buxus microphylla var. japonica can be used to make a hanko (seal).https://www.inkan-takumi.com/service/material_tsuge.html (in Japanese) Inkan-takumi.com
File:Fruit on Buxus microphylla, angled view.JPG|Fruit and foliage of a dwarf variety of Buxus microphylla ('Hohman's Dwarf')
File:Hanko made of Japanese box.jpg|Hanko made of Japanese box
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q162432}}
Category:Plants described in 1845
Category:Taxa named by Philipp Franz von Siebold
Category:Taxa named by Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini
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