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Sarcococca saligna (D. Don) Muell.-Arg.

Modern name

Sarcococca pruniformis Lindl.

Synonyms

Buxus saligna D. Don; S. pruniformis Lindl., in part

An evergreen shrub, 2 to 3 ft high; stems erect, glabrous. Leaves 3 to 5 in. long, 12 to 118 in. wide; narrow-lanceolate, with a long drawn-out point; base narrowly wedge-shaped; glabrous, glossy, with a marginal vein on each side extending all round the leaf; stalk 14 to 38 in. long. Flowers greenish white, in short axillary racemes opening in winter and spring. Styles three. Berries egg-shaped, 13 to 12 in. long, purple.

Native of the western Himalaya from Afghanistan to Kumaon. The date of introduction is uncertain; it is usually given as 1820, but the species then introduced was S. coriacea (Hook.) Sw., which has a more easterly distribution in the Himalaya, and with which S. saligna was at that time confused. The true species was received at Kew in 1908 from Messrs Veitch, but the origin of these plants is uncertain.



From the Supplement (Vol. V)

† S. wallichii Stapf – This species has been introduced, but has not spread into gardens and nothing is known of its horticultural value. It is a shrub up to 10 ft high, allied to the equally uncommon S. saligna, differing in its broader leaves and some floral characters. It has a wide range, from Nepal to Yunnan.

Genus

Sarcococca

Other species in the genus