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Lytle, Melody
Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri
Garrya ovata Benth. ssp. lindheimeri (Torr.) Dahling
Lindheimer's Silktassel, Lindheimer Silktassel, Lindheimer's Garrya, Lindheimer Garrya, Mexican Silktassel, Mexican Garrya, Eggleaf Silktassel, Eggleaf Garrya
Garryaceae (Silk Tassel Family)
Synonym(s): Garrya lindheimeri
USDA Symbol: GAOVL
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Evergreen shrub or small tree. Frequent on limestone ledges and rocky slopes of canyons and ravines. Twigs with leaf scars that go completely around them and gray streaks (lenticels) running lengthwise in the reddish brown bark. Leaves opposite, petioled; blade leathery, variable in shape, roughly elliptic, up to 2 1/2 inches long, with a very small, abrupt tip and smooth margins, smooth on the upper surface, velvety on the lower. Flowers about 3/16 inch wide, in simple pendulous clusters from the bases of the leaf petioles, opening in March and April. Fruit fleshy, round, with a short tip, blue with a white coating easily rubbed off, about 3/8 inch in diameter.
This subspecies is named after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879) who is often called the Father of Texas Botany because of his work as the first permanent-resident plant collector in Texas. In 1834 Lindheimer immigrated to the United States as a political refugee. He spent from 1843-1852 collecting specimens in Texas. In 1844 he settled in New Braunfels, Texas, and was granted land on the banks of the Comal River, where he continued his plant collecting and attempted to establish a botanical garden. He shared his findings with many others who shared his interest in botany, including Ferdinand von Roemer and Adolph Scheele. Lindheimer is credited with the discovery of several hundred plant species. In addition his name is used to designate forty-eight species and subspecies of plants. He is buried in New Braunfels. His house, on Comal Street in New Braunfels, is now a museum.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall when growing as a tree. Shorter when shrub-like.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: GreenBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: TXNative Distribution: Subspecies lindheimeri limited to central Texas. The species Garrya ovata occurs from central Texas south to central Mexico.
Native Habitat: Grows in rocky limestone hills and canyons in the Edwards Plateau . Seen as an understory plant, occurs at the edge of wooded areas.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Conditions Comments: This evergreen shrubby tree has interesting leaves with wavy edges and blue-black berries. Is often found growing in the understory or woodland edge. Can be temperamental and typically grows in limestone of the Glen Rose formation in the Texas Hill Country.
Benefit
Interesting Foliage: yesAttracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: Moderate
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.Search More Titles in Bibliography
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
Webref 1 - Texas Native Shrubs (2002) Texas A&M University Agriculture Program and Leslie Finical, Dallas Arboretum
Additional resources
USDA: Find Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-04Research By: TWC Staff