Habit: Maytenus buxifolia grows as a large shrub to small tree up to 10 m in height with a trunk to 30 cm in diameter. The leaves are arranged alternately, up 4 cm in length, are oblong/oblanceolate/spathulate, with an entire leaf margin and an obtuse/rounded leaf apex. The leaves are dark green at maturity.
The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers occur in clusters along the stem and from leaf axils. The calyx has 5 greenish unfused sepals. The corolla has 5 whitish unfused petals. There are 5 stamens and the carpel has 1 locule and the fruit is a few-seeded berry that is orange/red at maturity.
Habitat: Maytenus buxifolia grows in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formations – Woodland/Shrublands and Pine Woodlands.
Distribution: Maytenus buxifolia is found throughout the Lucayan Archipelago, Cuba and Hispaniola.
Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Maytenus buxifolia is used medicinally to treat gastrointestinal issues, as well as in obstetrics/gynecological problems.