Pachysandra is a genus of five species of evergreen perennialss or subshrubs, belonging to the boxwood family Buxaceae. The species are native to eastern Asia and southeast North America, some reaching a height of , with only weakly woody stems. The leaves are alternate, leathery, with a coarsely toothed margin, and are typically long. The small uni-sexual blooms are greenish-white and produced in late spring or early summer.

Etymology

Pachysandra is derived from the Ancient Greek words (, 'thick') and , genitive (, genitive , "man"), and is a reference to the thick stamens.

Species

• Pachysandra axillaris - China

• Pachysandra coriacea (sometimes classified as Sarcococca coriacea) - India, Nepal, Myanmar

• Pachysandra procumbens - Allegheny Pachysandra (southeast United States)

• Pachysandra stylosa - China (sometimes treated as a variety of P. axillaris)

• Pachysandra terminalis - China, Japan

Cultivation and uses

Pachysandra can grow in deep-shade areas and is thus well-suited and popular as ground cover for shade gardens. There are several varieties used in the garden landscape, all of which are deer-resistant:

• The most commonly used species is P. terminalis, or Japanese spurge, which is an aggressively spreading evergreen ground cover.

• 'Variegata' has leaves attractively variegated green and creamy white, with a slower growth/spreading rate as P. terminalis.

• 'Green Sheen' Pachysandra has extra glossy dark green leaves and slowly spreads.

• 'Green Carpet' Pachysandra has deeper semi glossed green leaves than the common P. Terminalis, with prominent veining, more toothed serrations to the leaf edge, and a shorter more compact growth habit.

All species in this genus prefer a well-drained soil with a high humus content.

References

External links