Sea Box

Scientific Name:

Alyxia buxifolia

Sea Box plant
Photo: A J Brown

Status:

Native to Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria.

Plant Description:

Small compact shrub to 2 m tall. Leaves dark to mid green and arranged opposite to each other on stems; thick and leathery, elliptical to almost round in shape, smooth, 1-3 cm long.

Flowers scattered in small terminal clusters, with an orange cylindrical tube to 8 mm long and five white petals twisted in one direction as in a windmill fan. Fruit is an orange, globular drupe (fleshy) about 8 mm diameter.

Habitat:

Confined to coastal habitats but found right along the Victorian coastline. Often wind-pruned in exposed situations. Is also tolerant of limestone derived soils.

Comments:

Although the fruit of Sea Box is eaten by coastal birds, it is toxic to humans.

Sea Box branches
Photo: A J Brown

Leaves and flowers of Sea Box
Photo: A J Brown

Sea Box flower
Photo: A J Brown

Sea Box fruit
Photo: A J Brown

Sea Box buds
Flowers and buds of Sea Box
Photo: A J Brown

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