Alyxia buxifolia

Alyxia buxifolia, otherwise known as the sea box or dysentery bush, is a species of evergreen shrub in the family Apocynaceae.[1]

Alyxia buxifolia
Alyxia buxifolia at Loch Ard Gorge, Victoria, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Alyxia
Species:
A. buxifolia
Binomial name
Alyxia buxifolia

It can grow up to 2 metres in height, but is more often less than 50 cm high in exposed coastal areas.[2] It has thick, elliptic to obovate leaves which are 1 to 4 cm long and 5 to 25 mm wide.[2] It produces white flowers in cymes between spring and autumn, followed by rounded, red fruits which are about 8 mm in diameter.[2]

In Australia, it occurs in coastal areas of the states of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.[2]

Alyxia buxifolia naturally grows coastal cliffs, sand dunes, coastal heathlands and areas that are often exposed to strong winds.[2][3][4] It is able to grow in a variety of soils with sandy, loamy, and clayey textures, including limestone soils.[1][5] Alyxia buxifolia grows in soils with neutral to alkaline pH levels.[1] It is considered a hardy plant[6] and is able to tolerate a variety of conditions, including salt spray, drought, and mild to moderate frosts.[1][6]

References
  1. "Alyxia buxifolia". Plant Selector. Botanic Gardens of South Australia. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  2. Harden, G.J.; Williams, J.B. "Alyxia buxifolia". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
  3. Ohlsen, Daniel (29 June 2017). "Alyxia buxifolia R.Br. Sea Box". Flora of Victoria. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  4. Forster, Paul (19 October 1992). "A taxonomic revision of Alyxia (Apocynaceae) in Australia". Australian Systematic Botany. 5: 547. doi:10.1071/SB9920547 – via CSIRO Publishing Journals.
  5. "Sea Box". Victorian Resources Online. Agriculture Victoria. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  6. Mason, John (2007). Growing Australian Natives (2nd ed.). Australia: Simon and Schuster. p. 110. ISBN 9780731813100.


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