Azara microphylla
# Azara microphylla

Azara microphylla, the boxleaf azara, is a species of flowering plant in the willow family Salicaceae, native to Chile and Argentina. Growing to 10 metres (33 ft), it is a small, upright, evergreen tree or large shrub. It has small, shiny, very dark green leaves and tiny, vanilla-scented flowers in winter. It is the hardiest of the azaras, withstanding temperatures down to −15 °C (5 °F), but in cooler temperate regions requires some protection from cold winds. It also tolerates full shade.

The specific epithet microphylla comes from the Greek micro ("small") and phyllos ("leaf"). The leaves are no more than 2.5 cm (1 in) long.

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

