Oregon Boxwood
ExplorePlants
Oregon Boxwood
Paxistima myrsinites
The Oregon Boxwood is a small, evergreen shrub that stays green all year round. It has shiny leaves and can grow in different shapes, making it a lovely addition to gardens.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Oregon Boxwood is an evergreen shrub with small, glossy, oval leaves that can turn reddish in winter. Its slender, often reddish stems create a dense, compact form. It produces tiny, inconspicuous greenish-red flowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCelastralesFamilyCelastraceaeGenusPaxistima
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
5
Interesting facts
Deer and elk often munch its evergreen leaves during snowy winters.
It can form dense, green carpets that prevent soil erosion!
Its tiny flowers look like mini green stars, easily missed!
Some call it "Mountain Lover" because it thrives high in rocky forests.
Special abilities
Ability
Winter Survivor
Oregon Boxwood has tough, evergreen leaves that photosynthesize all year, helping it thrive even in cold seasons.
Ability
Drought Defender
Its small, leathery leaves help the Oregon Boxwood conserve water, allowing it to survive dry periods.
Ability
Shade Seeker
This plant can grow in dense forest understories, adapting to low light conditions where many others struggle.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-150 cm
- Spread
- 50-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late Spring to Early Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Deer browse its evergreen leaves, especially in winter.
eaten by
Elk
Cervus canadensis
Elk also rely on its foliage as a winter food source.
eats
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Black bears may nibble its small, inconspicuous fruits.
pollinates
Western Bumblebee
Bombus occidentalis
Bumblebees visit its small flowers to collect nectar and pollen.
shelters
Deer Mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
Small mammals find safe cover within its dense, spreading branches.
Traits
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before touching plants, as some can be prickly or cause allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Oregon Boxwood?
The easiest way to identify Oregon Boxwood is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Oregon Boxwood?
30-150 cm
How wide does Oregon Boxwood spread?
50-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Oregon Boxwood?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Oregon Boxwood bloom?
Late Spring to Early Summer
Is Oregon Boxwood edible?
No
Is Oregon Boxwood toxic?
None
What is Oregon Boxwood's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park35 sightings50 species
Arizona, US
Chiricahua National Monument Historic Designed Landscape
You might spot Yarrow's Spiny Lizard and Mexican Jay.
View guide →
Park0 sightings30 species
British Columbia, CA
Mehatl Creek Provincial Park
You might spot Twinflower and Western Rattlesnake Plantain.
View guide →
Park29 sightings12 species
New Mexico, US
Bandelier CCC Historic District
You might spot Tree Cholla, Mule Deer, and Sacred Datura.
View guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Wyoming, US
Geraldine Lucas Homestead-Fabian Place Historic District
You might spot Moose, Snowbrush Ceanothus, and Black Bear.
View guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Wyoming, US
Jenny Lake Boat Concession Facilities
You might spot Moose and Yellow-Bellied Marmot.
View guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Wyoming, US
Jenny Lake Ranger Station Historic District
You might spot Moose and Yellow-Bellied Marmot.
View guide →
