| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Basal Eudicots
Order: Buxales
Family: Buxaceae
Family Common Name: Box Family
Genera: Buxus |
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Inflorescence of spikes, racemes, cymes, or 1 to few axillary
flowers. Plants are monoecious or dioecious. Flowers rarely bisexual. Petals
not clearly separated from bracteoles in staminate flowers. Ovaries are
superior. Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit a capsule or drupe.
Vegetative Features: Habit as evergreen shrubs to herbs. Leaves are often
opposite, simple and estipulate.
Distribution: Widely distributed
in subtropical and temperate regions.
Economic Use: Important as
the boxwood, an evergreen hedge plant and as the source of some ornamental
woods used for inlaying and carved into furniture. Some species used extensively
as ground covers.
Number of Genera Globally:
4
Number of Species Globally:
70
