{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}} {{Speciesbox | image = Azara microphylla 1.jpg | genus = Azara | species = microphylla | authority = Hook.f. }}
'''''Azara microphylla''''', the '''boxleaf azara''', is a species of flowering plant in the willow family Salicaceae, native to Chile and Argentina. Growing to {{convert|10|m}}, 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 {{convert|-15|C|F}}, but in cooler temperate regions requires some protection from cold winds. It also tolerates full shade.<ref>{{cite book|title=RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants|year=2008|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=1405332964|pages=1136}}</ref>
The specific epithet ''microphylla'' comes from the Greek ''micro'' ("small") and ''phyllos'' ("leaf").<ref name=RHSLG>{{cite book|last=Harrison|first=Lorraine|title=RHS Latin for gardeners|year=2012|publisher=Mitchell Beazley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=9781845337315|pages=224}}</ref> The leaves are no more than {{convert|2.5|cm|0|abbr=on}} long.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.<ref>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Azara microphylla''|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/1934/Azara-microphylla/Details | accessdate=23 February 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q4832258}}
Category:Salicaceae Category:Plants described in 1845 Category:Taxa named by Joseph Dalton Hooker
{{Salicaceae-stub}}