virginia plant sightings: the boxwood

boxwood trees are very popular around here. every day i pass boxwood lane and boxwood farm. the barn swallow sells small boxwood trees. and we have a boxwood in front of our house. i like to brush my hand along the leaves; they are very soft and papery. i just learned that boxwood has medicinal qualities: "Some view boxwood as a medicinal plant, and others as a dangerous poison. Popular medicine recommended its use as a laxative, a diaphoretic and a cholalogue. One of its suspected benefits is its high anti-flu efficiency. Studies are also underway to use a boxwood extract, the SPV 30, in complementary treatment against HIV." to learn more about the boxwood visit the website of a gentleman who makes recorders from boxwood. for information more specific to virginia, check this one out.