Wavyleaf Silktassel
Garrya elliptica
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © jennroe (iNaturalist #5002024)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Garryaceae
- Genus:
- Garrya
- Species:
- Garrya elliptica
- USDA Symbol:
- GAEL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar
- Bloom Colors:
- gray, green, yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from the root crown following fire; typical of California chaparral species.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal regions, tolerates salt spray
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate erratically; fresh seed germinates best. May require light for optimal germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Soak clean seeds overnight in fresh water, then drain and wash seeds for 1 minute in a 5% bleach solution. Place seeds in a new freezer bag with an equal amount of pH neutral peat moss. Moisten peat moss and place in refrigerator for 3 months or until seeds start sprouting.
Establishment: Seeds are collected between May 1st and August 1st. Mature berries are borne in long strands and are dark grey to bluish black. There are 2 seeds per berry. G. elliptica is found on dry slopes and ridges, below 200 feet elevation, from Ventura County, California to Oregon; also on the islands off California.
Source: npn.rngr.net