Schaefferia frutescens, the Florida-boxwood, is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae,that is native to tropical regions of the Americas, from southern Florida in the United States, south through the Caribbean to Central America and northwestern South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador), and also Veracruz in Mexico. It grows at close to sea level in Florida, and up to 600 m altitude in Puerto Rico.
Florida boxwood is a fairly fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree growing up to 9 metres tall, though often much smaller. The bole can be up to 25cm in diameter.
The tree produces a valuable hard wood, but this is seldom available due to the generally small size of the plants. It is often grown as a hedge and is said to be cultivated in Cuba as a medicinal plant (roots).Florida boxwood is usually found close to the tidewater
area on sandy soil and hammocks . Although largespecimens can grow to 30 feet tall, most are seen as small tomedium-sized shrubs. Smallish leaves borne close together make the plant look similar to the well known boxwood famous in English gardens. Leaves are yellow-green androlled over slightly along the margins. Small, greenish white flowers are borne in the leaf axils in compact clusters.
Fruits turn from green to yellow then bright red. The bark is smooth grey or brown. The yellow wood is used in boxes and for carving when it becomes available.
