Pachysandra
| Pachysandra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pachysandra terminalis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Buxales |
| Family: | Buxaceae |
| Genus: | Pachysandra Michx. |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
Pachysandra /ˌpækiˈsændrə/[1] is a genus of five species of evergreen perennials or subshrubs, belonging to the boxwood family Buxaceae. The species are native to eastern Asia and southeast North America, some reaching a height of 20–45 cm (7.9–17.7 in), with only weakly woody stems. The leaves are alternate, leathery, with a coarsely toothed margin, and are typically 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long. The small uni-sexual blooms are greenish-white and produced in late spring or early summer.[2]
Etymology
[edit]Pachysandra is derived from the Ancient Greek words παχύς (pachýs, 'thick') and ἀνήρ, genitive ἀνδρός (anḗr, genitive andrós, "man"), and is a reference to the thick stamens.[3]
Species
[edit]- Pachysandra axillaris - China
- Pachysandra coriacea (sometimes classified as Sarcococca coriacea) - India, Nepal, Myanmar
- Pachysandra procumbens - Allegheny Pachysandra (southeast United States)
- Pachysandra stylosa - China (sometimes treated as a variety of P. axillaris[4])
- Pachysandra terminalis - China, Japan[5][6][7]
Cultivation and uses
[edit]Pachysandra can grow in deep-shade areas and is thus well-suited and popular as ground cover for shade gardens. There are several varieties used in the garden landscape, all of which are deer-resistant:
- The most commonly used species is P. terminalis, or Japanese spurge, which is an aggressively spreading evergreen ground cover.
- 'Variegata' has leaves attractively variegated green and creamy white, with a slower growth/spreading rate as P. terminalis.
- 'Green Sheen' Pachysandra has extra glossy dark green leaves and slowly spreads.
- 'Green Carpet' Pachysandra has deeper semi glossed green leaves than the common P. Terminalis, with prominent veining, more toothed serrations to the leaf edge, and a shorter more compact growth habit.[7]
All species in this genus prefer a well-drained soil with a high humus content.
References
[edit]- ↑ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995, pp.606–607.
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
- ↑ Backer, C.A. (1936). Verklarend woordenboek der wetenschappelijke namen van de in Nederland en Nederlandsch-Indië in het wild groeiende en in tuinen en parken gekweekte varens en hoogere planten (Edition Nicoline van der Sijs).
- ↑ 2b. Pachysandra axillaris var. stylosa (Dunn) M. Cheng, Flora of China
- ↑ GRIN Species Records of Pachysandra[link removed], GRIN Taxonomy for Plants
- ↑ 3. Pachysandra A. Michaux, Flora of China
- 1 2 "Pachysandra Terminalis Ground Cover". Peekskill Nurseries. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
External links
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