Garrya veatchii
Canyon silktassel
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Garryaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Garrya veatchii (Canyon silktassel) is a native California shrub / tree in the Garryaceae family, recognized by geographic restriction and small size help identification.
Canyon silktassel is a California native shrub found in southern coastal ranges and southwestern California in chaparral habitats at elevations of 250 to 1,750 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces small clustered flowers with dense, intricate inflorescences. Growing as a compact shrub under 2 meters tall, it features dense, curly-wavy interwoven hairs that cover its branches. Its leaves are lance-ovate to obovate-elliptic, 24 to 90 millimeters long, with flat to slightly wavy margins and a dense, textured underside. The plant produces fruits with dense covering of fine hairs, creating a distinctive silky appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; geographic restriction and small size help identification
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: 250-1750 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Diego, Monterey, San Mateo, Inyo, Orange, San Benito, Napa, Glenn, Colusa, El Dorado, Contra Costa
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Garrya veatchii blooms Feb-Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Quercus: Garrya has opposite leaves and hanging catkins; Quercus has alternate leaves and acorns.; vs Arctostaphylos: Garrya has opposite leaves; Arctostaphylos has alternate leaves and smooth red bark.; vs Lonicera: Garrya has long drooping catkins; Lonicera has tubular flowers in pairs or clusters.; vs Simmondsia: Garrya has drooping catkins several inches long; Simmondsia has tiny inconspicuous flowers.; vs Rhus: Garrya has opposite simple leaves; Rhus has alternate compound leaves with multiple leaflets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Garrya veatchii native to California?
Yes. Garrya veatchii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Garrya veatchii bloom?
Garrya veatchii blooms Feb-Apr.
Where in California does Garrya veatchii grow?
Garrya veatchii occurs in San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, San Diego, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of 250-1750 m.
What plant family does Garrya veatchii belong to?
Garrya veatchii is in the Garryaceae family, genus Garrya.
What habitat does Garrya veatchii grow in?
Garrya veatchii grows in Chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.