Sarcococca

Sarcococca (sweet box or Christmas box)^[1][2] is a genus of flowering plants in the box family (Buxaceae). native to eastern and southeastern Asia, and the Himalayas, with one species native to Central America. They are slow-growing, monoecious, evergreen shrubs 1–2 m (3–7 ft) tall. The leaves are borne alternately, 3–12 cm long and 1–4 cm broad.

Sarcococca
Sarcococca humilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Buxales
Family:	Buxaceae
Genus:	Sarcococca Lindl.
Species
See text

As of January 2025, the genus Sarcococca contains 15 accepted species.^[3][4] The genus is predominantly native to Asia, with more than half of Sarcococca species native to China,^[5] however one species (Sarcococca conzattii) is native to southern Mexico (Oaxaca) and Guatemala.^[6][7]

The plants bear fragrant white flowers, often in winter. The fruit is a red or black drupe containing 1–3 seeds. Some species are cultivated as groundcover or low hedging in moist, shady areas.^[8] The basic chromosome number for genus is 14 (2n = 28).^[9]

The genus name Sarcococca comes from the Greek σάρξ (sárx) and κόκκος (kókkos) for "fleshy berry", referring to the black fruit.^[10]

Selected species

• Sarcococca confusa Sealy – Sweet box
• Sarcococca conzattii (Standl.) I.M.Johnst.
• Sarcococca hookeriana Baill.
• Sarcococca humilis Stapf
• Sarcococca longifolia M. Cheng
• Sarcococca longipetiolata M. Cheng
• Sarcococca orientalis C. Y. Wu
• Sarcococca pruniformis (Saracodine courier)
• Sarcococca ruscifolia Stapf
• Sarcococca saligna (D. Don) Mull.-Arg.
• Sarcococca vagans Stapf
• Sarcococca wallichii Stapf
• Sarcococca zeylanica Baill.