Virginia Tech Dendrology

bearbrush Garryaceae Garrya fremontii Torr. Listen to the Latin 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
leaf flower fruit twig bark form1 map
Additional Range Information: Garrya fremontii is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting bearbrush.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material © 2018 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654