Box

Box or Boxwood, common name for a family of plants (see Spurge). Common box is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. A woody shrub with many horticultural varieties, it is frequently used, clipped or unclipped, as a hedge and sometimes singly for ornament. It has small, oval, opposite, somewhat leathery leaves that are dark, glossy green on the upper surface and lighter underneath, and petalless flowers. The foliage contains alkaloids and other active principles that, when ingested, cause severe irritation of the digestive system and possibly death. Box clippings should not be thrown where they may be eaten by grazing animals.

Scientific classification: Boxes make up the family Buxaceae. The common box is classified as Buxus sempervirens.