Eastern Himalayan box
Buxus wallichiana

Family: Buxaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 1.8 m tall and spreads 2 m wide. The leaves are simple and have smooth edges. They are dark green. They occur in opposite pairs. The leaves are 5 cm long and about 6 mm wide. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. They are yellow.

There are about 70 Buxus species. There are 50 in tropical America.

Where it is found

It suits hardiness zones 8-10. In Pakistan it grows up to 3,000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Albania, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belgium, Bhutan, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, India, Mediterranean, Nepal, Pakistan, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The leaves and bark are used as a substitute for tea. They have also been used for hops in beer. CAUTION: The leaves contain an alkaloid which gives them their bitter taste.

Edible parts

Leaves, bark, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Chikri, Papri, Shamshad

Synonyms

Buxus sempervirens Linn. in part;