Botany
Buxaceae
Described in 1415 but already known during Roman times, boxwood is a bush that can reach the size of a tree, growing up to 8 meters in height, and is evergreen. It has pubescent and quadrangular stems at the apex, stem with gray-brown bark, with small deciduous scales. Opposite leaves are leathery, shiny on top and light green on the bottom; ovate or subround lamina of 1-1.5 cm. Yellow inflorescence has one female flower in the center, surrounded by several male flowers. The fruit is a sessile capsule with three lodges, surmounted by three green and then turn brown styles, with black and shiny seeds. It grows in thermophilic hardwood forests or stony grounds, up to 800 meters.
History
It is a plant of ancient origins and owes its fame for being an evergreen, with very slow growth and therefore suitable for use in topiary. In Greece it was sacred to Hades, who protected especially evergreen plants, emblems of Life that continued in the “underworld.” For this reason, it symbolized the perpetual Revival of nature and, in a broader sense, Eternity. Romans also knew boxwood because they wrote on tablets made of this wood, covered with wax. Its name comes from the Greek word “Puxos,” and pyx derives from it, a small box of boxwood that in ancient times contained jewels or medicinal concoctions, and in Christianity refers to the container for consecrated Hosts.
The Tree at Castelgandolfo
It is best known for its use in villas or parks, where it is often shaped with pruning to create geometric figures or . We can find it almost everywhere, with its microphylla variety in the three splendid Italian gardens, where it is used to delimit green spaces and also to “build” the shapes of lilies, simple and double frets and to make the “labyrinth”. It is employed in the low hedges of the other formal gardens or to delimit the flowerbeds of the English park.
General symbolism
Boxwood is an evergreen shrub-sapling, found in fairly warm evergreen woods. Above all, it is used in villas or parks, where it is often shaped with pruning to create geometric figures, or other forms. Like all evergreen essences, it symbolizes Eternity, the hope of Salvation.
In the 8th century, it was considered a symbol of the Spirit of God, while in the 13th century it represented the Virgin Mary and in the 12th generosity.
One of the features of the plant, which is also the reason for its name, is the extraordinary hardness of its wood. Most likely, because of this quality, in the Middle Ages it was believed that the Holy Cup of the Last Supper was made of boxwood.
In the Constitutiones, written in 1080 by Blessed Rudolph to hand down the teaching of St. Romuald, there is a section dealing with the “meaning of the seven trees.” It lists seven plants, and their features are symbolically interpreted as spiritual virtues.
One of the seven plants that the Camaldolese monk must particularly love and cultivate is boxwood, a symbol of humble perseverance, a plant with small leaves but strong enough to withstand large pruning, a symbol of the need for monks to “cut” their ties with the earthly world.
Medicinal importance
Boxwood has been used since ancient times. However, it must always be employed under the direction of doctors or good herbalists, because it might be very toxic. It has a febrifuge action, and its use is specifically suggested for treatment of urinary tract diseases. It has an effective action in preventing and combating chronic rheumatic diseases and, as an anti-inflammatory, it is particularly suitable to take care of rheumatism and arthritis. Finally, for external use, it can be applied as an astringent in case of abrasions, cuts and ulcers. Root peels and leaves are used for medicinal purposes, and in the past essential oil was also used.
The Tree in the Pope mission
Boxwood is a small shrub, which can be pruned, cut, until it takes the shape the gardener wants to give to it. What better plant to symbolize humility by which each of us, and consequently the Church, must bring her message of love to the world? “In fact, again in today’s Gospel Jesus does not tell the Apostles ‘You are great, eh. Now, let’s plan things better for the next excursion!.’. – the Pontiff clarified on February 5, 2015 – “He limits Himself to recommending: ‘When you have done all that is commanded you, say, We are unworthy servants’.” This is the apostle” and in fact he sends them to preach, ordering them “not to take anything but a staff for the journey”.
Il bosso è un arbusto piccolo, che si lascia potare, tagliare, fino ad assumere la forma che gli viene data dal giardiniere. Quale pianta migliore per simboleggiare l’umiltà con cui ognuno di noi, e quindi la Chiesa, deve portare il suo messaggio d’amore al mondo? “Infatti, sempre nel Vangelo di oggi Gesù non dice agli Apostoli “‘Ma, voi siete grandi, alla prossima uscita adesso organizzate meglio le cose…’. – ha chiarito il Pontefice il 5 Febbraio 2015 – “Soltanto: ‘Quando avete fatto tutto questo che dovete fare, dite a voi stessi: ‘Servi inutili siamo’. Questo è l’apostolo” e infatti li manda a predicare ordinando loro «non prendere per il viaggio nient’altro che un bastone».