Garrya wrightii aka Wright's Silktassel

Garrya wrightii is an evergreen shrub in the Garryaceae family. Its native range runs from Arizona to Texas and northern Mexico. Kew places it in desert or dry shrubland. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Virginia Tech records a maximum height of 15 feet [4.6 metres]. Most plants stay much smaller than that upper limit. The supplied sources give no usual garden height or spread. Its woody stems carry leaves that remain through the year.

The leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. Each leaf is simple, rather than split into leaflets. The blades have an oval shape and a firm, leathery feel. They reach about 0.17 feet [0.05 metres] in length. Their edges are smooth, with no teeth or lobes. The upper surface is yellow-green, while the underside is light green. New twigs are green and bear some fine hairs. As they age, they turn reddish brown-green. The twigs range from moderately thick to stout. Older bark is gray-brown and rough, then develops scales.

Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The flowers lack petals and range from gray-green to yellow. They hang in spikes that form the plant's tassels. These flower clusters measure about 0.17–0.42 feet [0.05–0.13 metres] long. Virginia Tech reports that they appear during summer. The small flowers contrast with the broad, leathery leaves. The hanging clusters add a different shape to the leafy stems.

The fruit consists of small, round berries borne in pairs. Only a few berries occur on each fruiting tassel. These tassels measure about 0.13–0.25 feet [0.04–0.08 metres] long. Each berry spans roughly 0.02 feet [0.006 metres]. Their colors range from reddish tones to purple-blue. Most berries lack hairs on their surface. Some fruit remains on the plant rather than dropping at once.

The evergreen foliage, hanging flowers, and colored berries provide visual interest. Its dry native habitat gives context, but does not establish garden care needs. The supplied evidence does not specify soil, light, or watering needs. It also gives no tested hardiness range or growth rate. No species-level account here identifies pests or diseases. Nor does it establish edible uses or safety for people and pets.