Keyed Out #096 — Buxus sempervirens

Question 1

Its flowers have no petals whatever, only small greenish scales, and they sit in tight clusters in the leaf axils where a single female flower is ringed by several males on the same plant.

Accepted Answer

boxwood family

Question 2

Its leaves are simple, entire and leathery, and the base of each leaf stalk carries no appendages at all where it meets the twig.

Accepted Answer

Buxaceae

Question 3

Its leaves are set in strict opposite pairs the whole way up every shoot, and the young twigs are green and distinctly squared in cross-section.

Accepted Answer

Buxus

Question 4

Its fruit dries into a hard three-horned case that splits and flings its black seeds clear, rather than swelling into a soft one-stoned fruit a bird would swallow.

Accepted Answer

Buxus

Question 5

Its leaves are small ovals only 0.5 to 1 inch (12 to 25 mm) long, glossy dark green above and slightly notched at the very tip.

Accepted Answer

Buxus sempervirens

Question 6

Warm weather draws a strong and distinctly unpleasant scent off its foliage, sharp enough that gardeners avoid planting it beneath windows.

Accepted Answer

Buxus sempervirens