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.Hillier Nurseries, The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs, David & Charles, 1998, p618 The leaves are longer than the leaves of the commonly cultivated S.confusaHaw, S. G., Broad-leaved Evergreens, Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd., 2000, p105 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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