Himalayan Sarcococca, Himalayan Sweet Box        sar-ko-KOK-a hook-er-e-A-na HU-mi-lis

• Broadleaf evergreen groundcover/shrub, 18-24 inches (45-63 cm) high, stoloniferous.  Leaves simple, alternate (occasionally opposite), oblong to narrow lanceolate, 5-9 cm long, slender-pointed, entire, lustrous dark green above.  Flowers off-white, apetalous, 12 mm long, fragrant, hidden by leaves, open in winter; male flowers (towards shoot tips) have pink anthers, female flowers with 2 styles.  Fruit 6-8 mm diam., globose, shiny black.
• Part shade to shade, off color in full sun.  Prefers moist, well-drained soil, high in organic matter.  Good ground cover in shade.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 5      Native to western China.
• hookeriana: after Sir. Joseph Hooker;   (sometimes spelled hookerana),    humilis: low growing.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: southeast of Cordley Hall.