Buxus arborea
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Buxus arborea faces significant pressure from deforestation and habitat conversion throughout its Caribbean range, particularly in Cuba and Jamaica where coastal and montane forests are being cleared for agriculture and development. The species is also threatened by over-collection for ornamental use and traditional medicine, as boxwood species are highly valued for their dense, fine-grained wood. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns and increased hurricane intensity, which can devastate the fragmented forest patches where remaining populations persist.
Habitat
Buxus arborea inhabits tropical dry forests, coastal woodlands, and lower montane forests across the Caribbean islands, particularly in Cuba and Jamaica. The species typically grows in limestone-derived soils and can tolerate both coastal conditions and inland forest environments up to moderate elevations.