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Latin plant name
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Buxus sempervirens |
Common plant name
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Boxwood |
Plant type
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Woody evergreen shrub |
Size (meters)
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< 35 m |
Distinguishing features
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Arranged in opposite pairs along the stems, the leaves are green to yellow-green.
Slow growth of box renders the wood ("boxwood") very hard (possibly the hardest in Europe) and heavy, and free of grain produced by growth rings, making it ideal for cabinet-making, the crafting of clarinets, engraving, marquetry, woodturning, tool handles, mallet heads and as a substitute for ivory.
It was used for the propellers in I World War.
The biggest boxwood trees (35m) are found in Ireland because they were not cut down during the war. |
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