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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Garrya wrightii (Wright's silktassel)
Cox, Paul

Garrya wrightii

Garrya wrightii Torr.

Wright's Silktassel

Garryaceae (Silk Tassel Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: GAWR3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Wright’s Silktassel or Wright’s Catclaw is usually a small, compact shrub seldom over 6 1/2 ft. tall. Occasionally the plant reaches 12 ft. and become somewhat tree-like. Opposite, short-petioled, round leaves are leathery and evergreen. Catkin-like flowers are followed by purplish-blue, pea-sized fruit.

Some authors segregate members of the Garrya genus into a separate family, the Garryaceae.

The species name of this plant is for Charles Wright, 1811-1885, world-wide botanical collector but mainly in Texas (1837-1852), Cuba and his native Connecticut.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 12 feet tall, often much shorter.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: W. TX to s. AZ south to Puebla in central Mexico
Native Habitat: Rocky slopes; cliff crevices; 5000 to 8000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Limestone or igneous rock.
Conditions Comments: Some authors segregate member of the Garrya genus into a separate family, the Garryaceae. This species is good as dwarf, evergreen specimen for a rocky slope or for use in erosion control. Slow-growing.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed, layers, or cuttings of half-ripened wood.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Garrya wrightii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Garrya wrightii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Garrya wrightii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-04
Research By: TWC Staff

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