Buxus sirindhorniana is a species of shrub or tree in the family Buxaceae. It is native to northern Thailand. The species is shrubby, and has greenish flowers. It was described in 2014, and named after the Thai royal Sirindhorn.
Taxonomy The species was first described in 2014, based on material from herbarium specimens.
Distribution Buxus sirindhorniana is native to the subtropical biome of northern Thailand. It is found in Chiang Mai province, Lampang province, and Tak province, and has been collected from protected areas.
It grows on limestone, at elevations from .
Description Buxus sirindhorniana is a shrub or small tree, that grows to tall. The bark is cracked, and whitish in colour. The leaves are leathery in texture, and long and tapering in shape. The leaves are wide, and long. The leaf stem is long.
The flowers are greenish, and borne on stalks. The fruits ripen from dark green to dark purple, are spherical in shape, and in diameter. The fruit is thought to break open when mature.
Buxus sirindhorniana was the first member of the genus Buxus known to always have two sets of female reproductive organs (carpels). Each carpel has two seeds, which are oblong in shape.
The species flowers in July, November, and December. It fruits in January, February, June, July, November, and December.
Etymology The species is named for Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand, in recognition of her advocacy for biological conservation in Thailand.
References
External links