The Many Uses of Buxus: From Landscaping to Perfumery and Medicine

Buxus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Buxaceae. Common names for plants in this genus include boxwood, and European boxwood. They are native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia.

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as common box or European box, is a species of boxwood that is widely cultivated and used for landscaping purposes. It is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 20 feet tall, with small, round leaves that are dark green in color. It is often used for hedges, topiary, and other ornamental purposes.

Buxus is also the name of a plant that is commonly used in traditional French perfumery. The essential oil extracted from the flowers of Buxus sempervirens is known as "boxwood absolute" and is used in the production of perfumes and fragrances.

Buxus has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history. The leaves and stems of the plant contain a number of compounds, including tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

In addition to its ornamental and medicinal uses, Buxus has also been used as a source of dyes, and the wood of the plant is valued for its durability and resistance to decay.