BUXUS, in botany, a genus of the monocot tetrandria class. The calix of the male consists of three leaves; and the corolla has two petals: The calix of the female has four leaves; the petals are three; it has three styli; and the capsule has three cells containing two seeds. There is but one species, viz. the sempervirens, or box-tree, a native of Britain. A decoction
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of the leaves and wood has been recommended as a powerful sudorific; but is not now used by practitioners. The wood is of a hard close texture, and is greatly used by mechanics for tools of various kinds.