Mountain Lover, Oregon Boxleaf, Oregon Boxwood
Paxistima myrsinites
Synonyms: Ilex myrsinites, Myginda myrtifolia, Oreophila myrtifolia, Pachistima myrsinites, Pachystima myrsinites, Paxistima myrsinites ssp. mexicana
The Oregon boxwood is an atractive evergreen shrub with numerous quadrangular stems from 20-100 cm tall. The leathery leaves are oblong-lanceolate in shape wtih short petioles and toothed margins. The upper surface of the 1-3 cm leaves is a dark glossy green while the lower surface is paler.
The 1-3 flowers are small, 4-parted on short peduncles. The petals are reddish brown or maroon to dark yellow in color. The flowers are solitary or clustered in the leaf axils. The stamens are inserted at the edge of a flattened disc. The ovary is 2-celled with 1 stigma. The fruit are a one- or two-seeded capsule from 3-5 mm long with shingy black or dark brown seeds.
Oregon boxwood is typically found in shady coniferous woods, especially near streams between the elevations of 4500-5500 feet, although it is found down to near sea level in western Washington.
Oregon boxwood is found from British Columbia south to California and east to the Rocky Mts.
