Pachysandra

Pachysandra
File:Pachysandra terminalis0.jpg
Pachysandra terminalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
Order:	Buxales
Family:	Buxaceae
Genus:	Pachysandra
Species
See text

Pachysandra /ˌpækiˈsændrə/ 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 an entire to 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.

The name is derived from the Greek words pachys ("thick") and andros ("male") which is a reference to the thick stamens (the male portion of the flower).

Species

• Pachysandra axillaris - China
• Pachysandra procumbens - Allegheny Pachysandra (southeast United States)
• Pachysandra coriacea (sometimes classified as Sarcococca coriacea) - India, Nepal, Myanmar
• 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. The most commonly used species is P. terminalis, the Japanese spurge, which is an aggressively spreading evergreen ground cover. It is very deer-resistant. The form 'Variegata' has leaves attractively variegated green and creamy white, and is slightly less invasive. 'Green Sheen' Pachysandra has extra glossy leaves and slowly spreads. All species in this genus prefer a well-drained soil with a high humus content.