Buxus sempervirens - boxwood, common box
2,000 years ago the Roman naturalist Gaius Plinius the elder described the common box in his work Naturalis historia. The Romans used this beautiful evergreen shrub in their gardens and patios and also in their medicines. It was a recommended cough medicine, despite being highly toxic. A little carelessness with the dosage and the patient was cured – and not only of his cough!