Willow-leaf Sweet Box

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Willow-leaf Sweet Box
• willow-leaf sweet-box

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sarcococca laurifolius
• Sarcococca nepalensis
• Sarcococca salicifolia
• Sarcococca sumatrana
• Sarcococca pruniformis var. angustifolia
• Lepidopelma podocarpifolia
• Sarcococca zollingeri
• Buxus saligna
• Sarcococca philippinensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Buxales, it is classified under the family Buxaceae. Ultimately, its scientific identity is defined by the genus Sarcococca, specifically the species Sarcococca saliigna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be specifically found growing within the Tibet region. Its presence extends to Eastern Asia, where it is documented in Taiwan. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species is native to Assam, Nepal, and Pakistan. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in varied subtropical and mountainous environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sarcococca saliigna is characterized by its preference for specific montane environments, where it thrives within a defined altitudinal gradient. This species is typically found in high-altitude habitats, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1500 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2800 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant adapts to the unique climatic conditions and soil compositions found in these mid-to-high elevation zones, playing a specialized role in the local ecosystem of its native mountainous regions.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Sarcococca saligna is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, meaning the plant persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived species, it establishes a stable presence within its ecosystem, undergoing various stages of vegetative growth and seasonal maturation over many years. This perennial nature allows the plant to develop robust structures capable of enduring environmental fluctuations, ensuring its continued survival and ability to reproduce across extended temporal scales.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sarcococca saligna is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub or subshrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as lianas or vines, nor does it function as an obligatory or facultative climber. The species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not exist as an epiphyte. Furthermore, it is an independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic life strategies, maintaining a robust, woody structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sarcococca saligna is characterized by a distinct flowering period and specific seed morphology. The plant's flowering cycle begins in May and continues through until October, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the seed mass is measured at a uniform 0.026 g, with the mean, maximum, and minimum values all reaching this identical weight.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Oct

Seed mass mean:

0.026 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sarcococca saligna has 3 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, root, leaf.

Stem

1. Phytochemistry
2. Planta medica
3. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Phytochemistry
2. Journal of natural products

Leaf

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Sarcococca saligna has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Salonine C.

Salonine C

1. ACS omega

Activities

Sarcococca saligna has 1 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Planta medica

Conditions

Sarcococca saligna has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include colon cancer, tumors, ulcers, wounds.

Colon cancer

1. ACS omega

Tumors

1. ACS omega

Ulcers

1. ACS omega

Wounds

1. ACS omega

Preparations

Sarcococca saligna has 3 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOH extracts of the roots and stems, aqueous-methanolic extract, ethanolic extract of the roots and stems.

Etoh extracts of the roots and stems

1. Journal of natural products

Aqueous-methanolic extract

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Ethanolic extract of the roots and stems

1. Phytochemistry