Practical
Plants

Garrya elliptica

Coast Silk Tassel

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Garrya genus in the family Garryaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Garrya
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
4 m
Spread
4 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are intensely bitter and are used as an antiperiodic and febrifuge. They can be used as a quinine substitute[13][14][16]. An infusion has been used to induce menstruation, probably acting as an abortifacient[11].

Product or use
Abortifacient
Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Febrifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Grows well by the sea and can be grown as a hedge in the milder parts of Britain[12][3]. A hedge in a sheltered position at Wisley in 1991 was very healthy[K]. Makes a good wind shelter[3]. Grey to black dyes are obtained from the berries. The colour varies according to the ripeness of the fruit, green fruits are the best[4]. 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[10].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California to Oregon.
Habitat
Chaparral and forest on dry slopes and ridges below 600 metres[15][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[7]. Cuttings of mature wood 10 - 12 cm with a heel, December/January in a frame[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sunny position succeeding in most well-drained fertile soils[5][7][8]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in light shade[8], the plants are also tolerant of quite deep shade[9]. Does not require a rich soil or abundant moisture[2], if the soil is too fertile the flowering will be delayed[7]. Plants are resistant to urban pollution and maritime exposure, but they are subject to wind scorch from cold drying winds in colder areas[6]. This species is hardy to about -15°c[6], 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[2]. In cold winters and springs the previous year's leaves may fall before the new leaves are produced[8]. 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][2], 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

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  10. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  12. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  15. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

  16. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩

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