Thryallis

Galphimia gracilis Bartl.

gal-FIM-ee-ah GRASS-ah-lis

Malpighiaceae

Explanation of name: Galphimia is an anagram for Malpighia. Gracilis means slender or graceful.

Commonly misidentified as:  Galphimia glauca Cav.

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?405803

Natural range: Mesoamerica

Recognition:  Compact, dense shrub with elliptic leaves light-colored beneath.  The candles of bright yellow star-shaped flowers make the shrub easy to recognize.

Landscape uses:  A moderate- to fast-growing shrub valued for its profusion of sunshine-yellow flowers, and some shade tolerance (but sunnier is better than shadier).  Leaves are simple.  Because it grows rapidly, because it tends to become bare at the base,  and because it is covered with flowers or flower buds much of the time, Thryallis is not an ideal closely clipped hedge.  It is better in informal hedges, clumps, masses and mixed plantings where its form and flowering can be unfettered, although it does recover rapidly from clipping or storm damage.  Moderate drought tolerance.  Propagates from seeds or cuttings.