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Garrya elliptica - Douglas. ex Lindl.

Common Name Coast Silk Tassel, Wavyleaf silktassel
Family Garryaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Chaparral and forest on dry slopes and ridges below 600 metres[71, 184].
Range South-western N. America - California to Oregon.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Garrya elliptica Coast Silk Tassel, Wavyleaf silktassel


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Garrya_elliptica_RHS.jpeg
Garrya elliptica Coast Silk Tassel, Wavyleaf silktassel
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Garrya elliptica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from November to February. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Abortifacient  Antiperiodic  Febrifuge

The leaves are intensely bitter and are used as an antiperiodic and febrifuge. They can be used as a quinine substitute[46, 61, 95]. An infusion has been used to induce menstruation, probably acting as an abortifacient[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Hedge  Hedge  Repellent  Wood

Grows well by the sea and can be grown as a hedge in the milder parts of Britain[29, 166]. A hedge in a sheltered position at Wisley in 1991 was very healthy[K]. Makes a good wind shelter[166]. Grey to black dyes are obtained from the berries. The colour varies according to the ripeness of the fruit, green fruits are the best[168]. The bark and leaves are very bitter, a possible insect repellent?[K]. Wood - hard, close-grained. It has been used for fine cabinet work, though its small size and rarity limits its commercial usefulness[229].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a sunny position succeeding in most well-drained fertile soils[182, 200, 202]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in light shade[202], the plants are also tolerant of quite deep shade[219]. Does not require a rich soil or abundant moisture[11], if the soil is too fertile the flowering will be delayed[200]. Plants are resistant to urban pollution and maritime exposure, but they are subject to wind scorch from cold drying winds in colder areas[184]. This species is hardy to about -15°c[184], it is best on a sunny wall in most parts of the country but does very well as a free standing shrub in Devon and Cornwall[11]. In cold winters and springs the previous year's leaves may fall before the new leaves are produced[202]. A hedge in a relatively open area at Wisley in Surrey is growing well (1991), as is a plant in a friend's garden in Stockton on Teesside(1998)[K]. All pruning should be carried out in spring before new growth starts but after flowering has ended[1]. Plants are strongly resentful of root disturbance[1, 11], they should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Very slow, the seed can take 2 or more years to germinate. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10cm with a heel, August in a frame[200]. Cuttings of mature wood 10 - 12 cm with a heel, December/January in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Oregon (west), California (north & central))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Garrya fremontiiFever Bush, BearbrushShrub3.0 6-9 MLMHFSNDM01 
Quercus garryanaOregon White Oak, Garry OakTree18.0 7-9 SMHSNM223

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Douglas. ex Lindl.

Botanical References

1171200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Michael   Mon Oct 16 2006

I have two plants garrya elliptica, and the cultivar james roof. Both do really well and I live in Saltburn in the northeat of England. Truly outstanding pland when very little else is in flower.

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