Atalantia buxifolia aka Chinese Box Orange

Atalantia buxifolia is an evergreen shrub in the citrus family, Rutaceae. Its common name is Chinese box orange. Some references call the same species Severinia buxifolia. The RHS links these two names as synonyms. Kew places its native range from southern China into Indochina. That range also extends from Taiwan to the Philippines. It grows in a subtropical climate and is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant forms a shrub or small tree with spines. It has a dense crown and keeps its leaves year-round. The reported height reaches about 8 feet [2.5 metres]. The supplied sources give no separate height range for garden plants. They also give no measure for its mature spread. Its wood is white and hard. The text does not describe its bark or leaf shape. Nor does it give flower traits, bloom dates, or fruit details.

In southern China, it grows in coastal woods and thickets. These sites lie at heights up to 984 feet [300 metres]. The species occurs in the wild and in cultivation. Its coastal habitat gives context, but does not establish garden care needs. The sources give no clear light, watering, or soil pH guidance. They also supply no frost limit or hardiness zone. Seed is the listed means of raising new plants. No sowing method or germination time is given.

In China, people use its leaves to prepare yeast cakes. Some growers raise the plant for this purpose. This is the only food use stated in the evidence. The sources do not report a food use for its fruit. Useful Tropical Plants gives its edible value two out of five. That source lists no known hazards and no known medicinal uses. A lack of reported hazards does not establish safety for pets. It also does not establish that every plant part is edible.

Growers can use this species as rootstock for citrus. The source reports resistance to several citrus diseases. It also reports growth in salty soils and soils rich in boron. Such ground can be unsuitable for citrus itself. These traits explain its value beyond its use for leaves. The evidence gives no specific landscape uses or pest list.