How to identify Common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

How to identify Common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

Common boxwood, also known as Dudgeon, American boxwood

Common boxwood is distinguished by its dense, evergreen foliage, presenting leaves that are strikingly opposite, with acute to obtuse tips. Typically the leaves are small, roughly 1 inch (2.54 cm) in length and half as wide. Unique identification features include stems that are square and somewhat winged owing to the decurrent petioles. The leaves exhibit a distinctive white pubescence along the midrib on the underside, adding to the plant's identifiable traits.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Common boxwood

Opposite, lustrous leaves measure 0.5-1.5 inches (1.27-3.81 cm) long, with blue-gray color and white cottony midrib.

Distinctive square stem, initially green transitioning to brown, up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) thick.

Small, cream-colored, non-showy apetalous flowers with subtle fragrance blooming in spring.

Globular capsule fruit, 1/3 inch (8-9 mm) diameter, brown when mature, dehiscent for seed dispersal.

Dense evergreen foliage with tiny opposite leaves, acute to obtuse tips, and distinctive white pubescence.

Detailed Traits of Common boxwood

Leaf Features

The leaves of common boxwood are opposite, simple, and lustrous, ranging from light blue to blue-gray, and measure 0.5-1.5 inches (1.27-3.81 cm) in length. The undersides are light green to yellowish-green, sometimes developing an orange-green hue in winter. They are typically elliptic, ovate to oblong, and twice as broad as they are long with a rounded or notched apex. The petiole is decurrent, and the midrib on the underside appears white and cottony.

Leaf Shape

Elliptic ,

Ovate

Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Cuneate ,

Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Apex

Acute ,

Emarginate ,

Obtuse

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

The flowers of common boxwood are small, non-showy, and creamy yellow, blooming in spring. They are apetalous, meaning they do not have petals. Despite their understated appearance, the flowers are fragrant and add a subtle scent to the surroundings.

Corolla Type

Apetalous

Inflorescence Type

Fascicle

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Stem Features

The stem of the common boxwood is initially green and matures to a brown color. It is characterized by its distinctive square shape. As the plant grows, the stem can reach up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in thickness. The texture is smooth when young, becoming slightly rougher with age. The branching pattern is opposite, with pairs of branches emerging from each node, creating a dense and bushy growth habit. These key features are crucial for identifying the common boxwood.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of common boxwood is a notably small, globular capsule with a diameter of approximately 1/3 inch (about 8-9 mm). Upon reaching maturity, it displays a distinctive brown hue. The capsule’s texture is generally firm, and it features a dehiscent mechanism which means it splits open to release its seeds. These capsules bear notable botanical identifiers, especially during the transition from their immature state to the point at which they dehisce to expel the seeds enclosed within.

Fruit Type

Capsule

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Common boxwood and Their Similar Plants

Japanese box vs. Common boxwood: What's The Difference?

Japanese box (Buxus microphylla) is a dwarf evergreen shrub native to Japan and China. This species is also called the Japanese box. Japanese box is often planted in ornamental hedging. One cultivar of this species is often grown as a bonsai tree. In Japan, japanese box wood is used to make a hanko, or printing stamp seal.

Chinese box vs. Common boxwood: What's The Difference?

Chinese box (Buxus sinica) is, unsurprisingly given its name, native to China. It is a useful ornamental shrub that has a dense growth suitable for hedging and screen plantings. The name *sinica* is Latin for China. The *box* part of the name may reflect the plant's historic use as wood for making boxes.

Common box 'Suffruticosa' vs. Common boxwood: What's The Difference?

Common box 'Suffruticosa' (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa') is a compact and slow-growing cultivar of common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) and is considered a dwarf variety. This plant has soft, glossy leaves that can withstand most environmental conditions in gardens, beds, and containers, but needs extra care during the winter months. 'Suffruticosa' comes from an Italian word referencing the woody base and shrubby upper branches.

Japanese boxwood vs. Common boxwood: What's The Difference?

The japanese boxwood is native to Japan and known to attract bees. Caution though, because japanese boxwood can be toxic to both humans and animals. It is popularly used in English and cottage gardens for edging and formal hedges.

Common boxwood 'Elegantissima' vs. Common boxwood: What's The Difference?

Common boxwood 'Elegantissima' is a Common boxwood cultivar bred to have more adorning leaves than the classic Common box. Unlike the parent plant that features solid green leaves, the breeding resulted in a cultivar with green leaves variegated with creamy-yellow margins on their edges.

Variegated boxwood vs. Common boxwood: What's The Difference?

Variegated boxwood is a dwarf hybrid of a popular evergreen shrub that is often sculpted into elaborate ornamental shapes. This low-maintenance variety is resistant to deer, and it improves on the parent with its two-colored or 'variegated' leaves. It is a versatile garden performer ideal for edges, borders, and other locations in courtyard or urban gardens.

Harland boxwood vs. Common boxwood: What's The Difference?

The greenish-yellow flowers of harland boxwood attract pollinators. It can be used as hedges, borders, or foundations. This plant is also a great candidate for bonsai. The common name "boxwood" pertains to the wood used to create ornamental boxes.

Identify Common boxwood easily and quickly

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Key Facts About Common boxwood

Attributes of Common boxwood

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

1 m to 9 m

Spread

5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Variegated

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

White

Green

Fruit Color

Brown

Green

Copper

Stem Color

Green

Brown

Leaf type

Evergreen

The Toxicity of Common boxwood

Moderate Toxic to Humans

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Cats

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Scientific Classification of Common boxwood

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

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Distribution Map of Common boxwood

Common boxwood is native to northern Africa, western Asia, and southern Europe, where it can be found growing in forests and rocky slopes. This plant has also been cultivated worldwide as an ornamental.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Common boxwood How to Grow and Care for Common boxwood