Sarcococca hookeriana

Sarcococca hookeriana is a species of evergreen shrub or groundcover, also known as Himalayan sweet box. It is low-growing, usually between 12 and 24 inches high. It produces aromatic white flowers throughout winter followed by black berries. The Latin specific epithet hookeriana refers to Sir Joseph D. Hooker. Sarcococca hookeriana has several varieties of very different appearance to which different nomenclature has been applied in the references. Recent convention for example is to use Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis for the previous Sarcococca humilis, although it has broader, shiny leaves and a different habit than other forms. The variety Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna is more slender with narrower leaves. The cultivar ‘Purple Stem’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.