Scientific Family
Garryaceae
Synonyms
Garrya flavescens ssp. pallida, Garrya flavescens var. pallida
Other common names
silktassel
quinine bush
yellowleaf silktassel
Plant type
Shrubs
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Garrya wrightii
Shrub or small tree. Separate male and female (dioecious) plants produce long hanging clusters of flowers. Female flowers give way to bunches or clusters of spherical berries covered in hairs.
Evergreen, many-branched shrub; leaves opposite, oval-shaped, densely hairy beneath, tip acute, margin is entire; clustered flowers, male and female flowers on separate plants, bracts united; fruit in long clusters, covered with silky hairs.
Height
6 to 12 feet
Width
6 to 10 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Found in areas of desert scrub, chaparral, and pine-oak forest.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
7000
Leaves
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf hairs
Top and bottom of leaves
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Evergreen
The leaves are oval-shaped, 3 to 4 inches long and about half as wide. The underside may be hairless to very hairy and pale dusty gray.
Flowers
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Bell-shaped
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
April
Small flowers are produced on silky drooping spikes 4 inches long, lacking petals, appearing late winter to early spring.
Flower clusters
Elongated
Fruit
Fruit color
Purplish
Fruit type
Berry-like
Fruit consists of round berries borne in pairs on 1 to 3 inch long tassels, individual berries to 1/2 inch in diameter, purplish and silky-haired.