At the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center a native and dioecious plant occurs that has flowers concentrated in inflorescences which cascade downward. While the Fremont's Silk Tassel (Garrya fremontia) blooms in January and February, the male plants are much more showy, with gray-green catkins up to many centimeters in length.
In the family Garryaceae, there are six species that are native to California, and cultivars have been developed for use as a popular ornamental shrub. It was first introduced into cultivation as early as 1860. Its dark leathery evergreen leaves and long catkins that dangle like white or dull green tassels makes it popular amongst gardeners. The purple berry is consumed by numerous bird species.
Native to the Coast Ranges from southern Oregon to Santa Barbara, CA, it grows in rather barren soil from coastal zones to inland chaparral lands from 0 to 7500 feet elevation. Seeds of the genus were first collected in 1828 by David Douglas (of Douglas fir fame), but the generic name is after Nicholas Garry who was secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company. The common name and the specific epithet are derived from John C. Fremont.
