Scientific Name:
Garrya elliptica
Pronunciation:
GAIR-ee-uh el-lip-TIH-kuh
Common Name:
wavyleaf silktassel, coast silk-tassel , silk tasselbush
Family Name:
Garryaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen
Key ID Features:
Leaves opposite, most elliptical, 6-8cm long x 3-4cm wide, margin entire and wavy, undersides tomentose; male plants with catkins 10-20(-30)cm long; female plants less common, catkins 6-9cm long; berries 6-11mm wide, in grape-like purplish clusters, dry with gray pubescence.
Habit:
Dense
Form:
Round, Weeping
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
2 - 3m
Mature Spread:
2 - 3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
U.S. - northwest
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 8a: (-12 to -9.5 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract birds, Screening, Winter interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown may include G. 'James Roof' (male catkins up to 30cm long). Compare to hybrid silktassel (G. fremontii x G. elliptica).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Leathery, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Tomentose
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Elliptic
Apices:
Obtuse, Rounded
Bases:
Rounded
Margins:
Ciliate, Entire, Undulate (wavy)
Inflorescence Type:
Catkin (ament)
Flower Morphology:
Dioecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
White
Flower Time at Peak:
Jan, Feb, Mar
Additional Info:
Mostly male plants are used
Fruit Type:
Berry (true)
Fruit Colour:
Purple, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Persistent, 1 or 2 seeded; drying on plant; attracts birds
Bark Morphology:
Prominent lenticels, Lightly fissured
Bark or Stem Colour:
Red, Brown
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant)
