Xylosma

Xylosma is a genus of between 85-100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees in the family Salicaceae.

The genus is predominantly native to the tropics, from the Caribbean, Central America, northern South America, the Pacific Islands, southern Asia and northern Australasia, but with two species, X. congestum and X. japonicum, in warm-temperate eastern Asia (China, Korea and Japan).

The leaves are alternate, simple, entire or finely toothed, 2-10 cm long. The flowers are small, yellowish, produced on racemes 1-3 cm long, with a strong scent. The fruit is a small purple-black berry 5-10 mm diameter.

Selected species

Xylosma bahamensis (Britt.) Standl.
Xylosma buxifolia Gray (Mucha-gente)
Xylosma congestum (Lour.) Merrill (Shiny Xylosma)
Xylosma crenatum St. John (Sawtooth Logwood)
Xylosma flexuosum (HBK) Hemsl. (Brushholly)
Xylosma hawaiiense Seem. (Maua or Hawaii Brushholly)
Xylosma heterophyllum (H.Karst.) Gilg.
Xylosma japonicum (Thunb.) A.Gr.
Xylosma pachyphylla Urban (Spiny Logwood)
Xylosma pseudosalzmannii
Xylosma schaefferioides Gray (White Logwood)
Xylosma schwaneckeana Urban (Schwaneck's Logwood)

Cultivation and uses

The main use for the genus is as hedge plants among gardeners in desert and chaparral climates. Xylosma congestum, the Shiny Xylosma, is the species usually seen in garden hedges and on roadscapes.

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