A tall, evergreen shrub, growing up to 2.7m (103 inches) high. Woody stems have whorls of shiny oval leaves. White or occasionally lilac, four petalled flowers appear from December to February.  Found growing wild only on sandy and rocky coasts in areas inaccessible to animals but was probably much more abundant before the introduction of livestock to the Falklands. It is commonly used as a hedging plant in Stanley and in settlment gardens and yards.

Boxwood grows wild on West Falklands islands and coasts but is widespread across the Falkland Islands. It is also found on Patagonia and New Zealand.

Sources include: A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Plants of the Falkland Islands - Ali Liddle 2007, Flowering Plants of the Falkland Islands- Robin W Woods, The Vascular Flora of the Falkland Islands- D. M. Moore, B.Sc., Ph.D, 1968,

Photographic credits: Marlane and Ali Marsh, Rob Maddocks

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