Biology:Pachysandra
Pachysandra /ˌpækiˈsændrə/[1] is a genus of five species of evergreen perennials or subshrubs, belonging to the boxwood family Buxaceae. The species are native to eastern Asia and southeast North America, some reaching a height of 20–45 cm (7.9–17.7 in), with only weakly woody stems. The leaves are alternate, leathery, with a coarsely toothed margin, and are typically 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long. The small uni-sexual blooms are greenish-white and produced in late spring or early summer.[2]
Etymology
Pachysandra is derived from the Ancient Greek words παχύς (pachýs, 'thick') and ἀνήρ, genitive ἀνδρός (anḗr, genitive andrós, "man"), and is a reference to the thick stamens.[3]
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[4])
- Pachysandra terminalis - China, Japan[5][6][7]
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.[7]
All species in this genus prefer a well-drained soil with a high humus content.
References
- ↑ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995, pp.606–607.
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. pp. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
- ↑ Backer, C.A. (1936). Verklarend woordenboek der wetenschappelijke namen van de in Nederland en Nederlandsch-Indië in het wild groeiende en in tuinen en parken gekweekte varens en hoogere planten (Edition Nicoline van der Sijs).
- ↑ 2b. Pachysandra axillaris var. stylosa (Dunn) M. Cheng, Flora of China
- ↑ Template:Deprecated archive, GRIN Taxonomy for Plants
- ↑ 3. Pachysandra A. Michaux, Flora of China
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Pachysandra Terminalis Ground Cover" (in en-US). http://www.peekskillnurseries.com/pachysandra/.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q159189 entry
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