Fever Bush, Bearbrush

Garrya fremontii

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Basic Information

Family: Garryaceae

Genus: garrya

Plant ID (slug): garrya-fremontii

Numeric ID: 762

USDA Hardiness: 6-9

Ratings

Edible Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Medicinal Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Other Uses Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Physical Characteristics

Garrya fremontii is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Distribution

South-western N. America - California and Oregon.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Antiperiodic Tonic The leaves are intensely bitter and are used as an antiperiodic and tonic. They can be used as a quinine substitute.

Known Hazards

None known

Detailed Information

Additional Information

Title: Garrya fremontii Fever Bush, Bearbrush PFAF Plant Database

Meta Description: Garrya fremontii is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.