Additional notes (click to expand)

Horticulture

Likes damp conditions and light shade but grows well at the College in dry raised beds. Wonderfully fragrant in January and February.

Medicinal

The related species S. hookeriana has been used in TCM. These notes refer to that species. Steroidal alkaloids have been found in the plant which have antileishmaniasis activity in vitro.
Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2013). Wellcome Library notes. link

The Sarcococca genus (Buxaceae) consists of about 20 species, widely distributed in the southwestern region of China and other south Asian countries [ Editorial Committee of Flora of China . Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae. Volume 45. Science Press; Beijing, China: 2004. pp. 41–56.]. The members of Sarcococca plants are used as TCM and traditional folk medicine for the treatment of stomach pain, rheumatism, swollen sore throat and traumatic injury.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6337136/

Geographical distribution

  • Asia-Temperate, China

Sarcococca orientalis C.Y. Wu

Family: BUXACEAE
Genus: Sarcococca
Species: orientalis C.Y. Wu
Common names: Chinese Sweet Box
Distribution summary: China
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Understorey and margins of evergreen forest
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Far East (L), Southern Hemisphere (K)
Flowering months: December
Reason for growing: Other use


Back to List