Although it had a central trunk, it was a shrub rather than a tree because of the profusion of branches beginning at ground level.

The trunk ended barely a third of the way up the plant. Yet this shrub could grow to about 15 feet (five meters). The branches growing from the central trunk give this bush a roundish or roughly spherical shape.

The leaf is typically about two to four inches (six to eight centimeters) in length. The leaf is convex with a wavy edge and has underside hairs too small to see without magnification.

The male and female of this plant both have catkins which cascade down. Here, the male is longer, up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) and gray/green. The female is typically much shorter and silver/gray.

The upper branches show how full this shrub can grow. It is usually found within the mountains of the Pacific Coast range, such as Montara Mountain, San Bruno Mountain and the coast range in Napa County.

The catkins that form this plant's reproductive parts lend to it the appearance of hanging tassels. Hence the common name silk-tassel.

Garrya elliptica is a native plant, attractive and neat of growing habit, that appeals to landscapers. It is stocked at many commercial plant nurseries.

This Garrya elliptica grew along side the trail and softened the trail's edge in an attractive manner.