Buxus sempervirens L.

Evergreen, much-branched, monoecious shrub or small tree up to 3–(8) m high. Shoots puberulent when young, becoming glabrous, 4-ridged. Lvs puberulent when young, becoming glabrous except near mid-vein, ovate or elliptic, retuse, obtuse at base and subsessile or very shortly petiolate, dark glossy green above, paler below, 15–30 mm long; lf margin entire, somewhat revolute. Racemes congested in lf axils, many-flowered, c. 5 mm diam.; ♂ fls with 4 stamens and 4 calyx segments; ♂ and ♀ fls bracteate. Capsule glabrous, ovoid-oblong, often veined, 6–10 mm long with 3 slightly divergent horns (remnants of styles); seeds ovoid-oblong, glossy black, 5–6 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Sep.–Dec.