Sarcococca orientalis

Sarcococca orientalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
Order:	Buxales
Family:	Buxaceae
Genus:	Sarcococca
Species:	S. orientalis
Binomial name
Sarcococca orientalis

Sarcococca orientalis is a species in the genus Sarcococca in the plant family Buxaceae. It is commonly known as Christmas box or Sweet box. It is native to Jiangxi province of south-east China, and forms a small evergreen shrub, preferring positions with some shade. The ovate-lanceolate leaves are cuneate at the base and can reach 9 cm in length.^[1] The leaves are longer than the leaves of the commonly cultivated S.confusa^[2] and broader than S. hookeriana. The pink-tinged white flowers are inconspicuous but sweetly scented, and appear along the branches in midwinter, their scent most noticeable during mild spells. The small fruits (drupes) are black.

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