Buxus obtusifolia
Buxus obtusifolia is a species of plant in the family Buxaceae. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania. "Buxus obtusifolia" is usually restricted to small dry wooded bush land areas extending from southeast Kenya to southeast Tanzania. Out of the three concluded pollen types, "B. obtusifolia" is categorized as a notobuxus type because of its "predominantly sculptured reticulate exine" as well as its zonocolporate grains. The genus "Buxus" has about 70 species of evergreen shrubs and trees found in habitats ranging from rocky hills to woodlands. The general characteristics of "Buxus" are small simple leaves, entire or toothed , alternately arranged or opposite on the stems. The wood is very firm and close grained, and is used for wood engraving and musical instruments. It has a yellowish color, very rarely splits, and has a good natural polish. "Buxus obtusifolia" is sometimes known as hutch. "Buxus" refers to the box or hardwood that can be obtained from the bark of Buxaceae plants. The family Buxaceae ranges from regions in Europe, Africa, Asia, Central America to the Caribbean. Buxaceae plants are perennial, living for more than two years before they die. "Buxus" plants consists of two categories; "Eubuxus" found mainly in  Africa, Asia, and Europe and "Tricera" which reside in the Caribbean. "B. obtusifolia" is approximately six meters tall. It has small and simple leaves with an oval shape. References. Govaerts, R. “Buxus Obtusifolia (Mildbr.) Hutch.: Plants of the World Online: Kew Science.” Plants of the World Online, Plants of the World, 1996, http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:128685-1.