bearbrush Garryaceae Garrya
fremontii Torr.
symbol: GAFR
Leaf: Opposite, simple, evergreen and leathery, ovate, to 2 1/2 inches, entire margins, shiny dark green with yellow veins above, light green below, may be somewhat pubescent.
Flower: Species is dioecious; produced in silky drooping spikes (tassels), 2 to 5 inches long, lacking petals, pale purple and yellow, appearing spring.
Fruit: Several round berries borne in pairs on 1 1/2 to 3 inch-long tassels, individual berries 1/4 inch, blue-black may have sparse pubescence, somewhat persistent.
Twig: Moderate to stout, new growth is green and lacking pubescence, becoming reddish brown-green.
Bark: Ashy gray with dark stripes and smooth.
Form: A shrub to 15 feet.
Looks like: wavyleaf silktassel
- ashy silktassel
- Wright silktassel