- Garrya
image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Garrya" catkins in February atWoodland Park Zoo inSeattle , WA.
regnum =Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Garryales
familia =Garryaceae
genus = "Garrya"
genus_authority = Douglas ex Lindl.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text"Garrya" is a genus of about 18 species of
flowering plant s in the familyGarryaceae , native to North andCentral America and theCaribbean . They are commonly referred to as silktassel.They are
evergreen dioecious wind-pollinatedshrub s growing to 1-5 m tall. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, and are simple, leathery, dark green to gray-green, ovate, 3-15 cm long, with an entire margin and a short petiole. Theflower s are gray-greencatkin s, short and spreading when first produced in late summer; the male catkins becoming long and pendulous in late winter when shedding pollen, 3-20 cm long; the female catkins usually a little shorter and less pendulous. Thefruit is a round dryberry containing twoseed s.;Selected species
* "Garrya buxifolia " – Dwarf Silktassel; Oregon, California.
* "Garrya congdonii " – Chaparral Silktassel; California.
* "Garrya elliptica" – Wavyleaf Silktassel; Oregon, California.
* "Garrya fadyenii " – Fadyen's Silktassel; West Indies.
* "Garrya flavescens " – Ashy Silktassel; California east to Utah and New Mexico.
* "Garrya fremontii " – Bearbrush Silktassel; Washington, Oregon, California.
* "Garrya laurifolia " – Laurelleaf Silktassel; Mexico south to Panama.
* "Garrya ovata " – Eggleaf Silktassel; New Mexico, Texas.
* "Garrya salicifolia " – Willowleaf Silktassel; Baja California.
* "Garrya veatchii " – Canyon Silktassel; California.
* "Garrya wrightii " – Wright's Silktassel; Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.Cultivation and uses
Some species, notably "Garrya elliptica", are widely cultivated in gardens for their foliage and the
catkins produced in late winter. Male plants are more widely grown, as their catkins are longer and more attractive; one suchcultivar , "G. elliptica" 'James Roof', has catkins up to 35 cm long. The hybrids "G × issaquahensis" ("G. elliptica" × "G. fremontii") and "G × thuretii" ("G. elliptica" × "G. fadyenii") have been bred for garden planting.External links
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GARRY "Garrya" listing at the USDA PLANTS Database]
* [http://pick4.pick.uga.edu/mp/20m?kind=Garrya_ Missouri Botanical Garden: "Garrya" map]
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