Pachysandra

Pachysandra /ˌpækiˈsændrə/^[1] is a genus of five species of evergreen perennials or subshrubs, belonging to the boxwood family Buxaceae. The species are native to eastern Asia and southeast North America, some reaching a height of 20–45 cm (7.9–17.7 in), with only weakly woody stems. The leaves are alternate, leathery, with a coarsely toothed margin, and are typically 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long. The small uni-sexual blooms are greenish-white and produced in late spring or early summer.^[2]

Variegated Jade among Pachysandra. Pachysandra is often used as a ground cover.

Pachysandra
Pachysandra terminalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Buxales
Family:	Buxaceae
Genus:	Pachysandra Michx.
Species
See text

Etymology

Pachysandra is derived from the Ancient Greek word παχύς (pachýs, 'thick') and the Neo-Latin -androus ('of or pertaining to stamens'), and is a reference to the thick stamens.^[3][4]

Species

• Pachysandra axillaris - China
• Pachysandra coriacea (sometimes classified as Sarcococca coriacea) - India, Nepal, Myanmar
• Pachysandra procumbens - Allegheny Pachysandra (southeast United States)
• Pachysandra stylosa - China (sometimes treated as a variety of P. axillaris^[5])
• Pachysandra terminalis - China, Japan^[6][7][8]

Cultivation and uses

Pachysandra can grow in deep-shade areas and is thus well-suited and popular as ground cover for shade gardens. There are several varieties used in the garden landscape, all of which are deer-resistant:

• The most commonly used species is P. terminalis, or Japanese spurge, which is an aggressively spreading evergreen ground cover.
• 'Variegata' has leaves attractively variegated green and creamy white, with a slower growth/spreading rate as P. terminalis.
• 'Green Sheen' Pachysandra has extra glossy dark green leaves and slowly spreads.
• 'Green Carpet' Pachysandra has deeper semi glossed green leaves than the common P. Terminalis, with prominent veining, more toothed serrations to the leaf edge, and a shorter more compact growth habit.^[8]

All species in this genus prefer a well-drained soil with a high humus content.