Oregon Boxleaf
Paxistima myrsinites
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Source: Wikimedia; Credit: Walter Siegmund https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Celastraceae
- Genus:
- Paxistima
- Species:
- Paxistima myrsinites
- USDA Symbol:
- PAMY
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- red
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Leucoptera pachystimella
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Leucoptera pachystimella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Cuttings are cut into 15 to 20 cm lengths, 5 mm in caliper, recut at the base with 1/3 of basal leaves removed, treated with a 2 minute Domain fungicide bath, and treated with 2000 or 3000 ppm IBA rooting hormone. Cuttings are struck with at least 2 nodes below the rooting medium surface.
Establishment: P. myrsinites occurs from B.C. to California, east to the Rocky Mountains. This species has a very broad ecological amplitude; occurring from the coast to the subalpine, in dry to moist habitats. It grows on well drained, shallow, gravelly clay and silt loams. It grows in sun or shade.
Source: npn.rngr.net