Looking at Plants

Galphimia gracilis

COMMON NAMES

Thryallis, Rain of Gold, Shower of Gold

Galphimia (gal-FIM-ee-uh) - anagram of the related Malpighia; some say it is an old Greek name

gracilis (GRASS-ih-liss) - graceful, slender

OTHER NAMES / SYNONYMS

Thryallis gracilis

GROUP 

Dicot

FAMILY 

Malpighiaceae

ORIGIN

Mexico and other parts of tropical America

DESCRIPTION

Thryallis is an evergreen shrub that averages 4 to 6 feet in height with a comparable spread. It has a compact form with fine close twigs, but if left unpruned, it can get leggy. It has a moderate growth rate.

Leaves are evergreen, oblong in shape, opposite in arrangement, simple, 1 to 2 inches long, and light green in color. The fine, close twigs are reddish when young and the branches tend to be brittle.

The yellow flowers are about 3/4 inch across and are borne in terminal panicles. It blooms throughout the year in warmer areas, otherwise the heaviest bloom period is late summer.

Fruit are capsules that split into 3 parts when dry.

HARDINESS

It is hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11. Damage will start to occur at 28 degrees F. Some have grown it in zone 8, but it will usually be killed to ground in freezes and then resprout from roots.

LIGHT

Full sun for most compact growth and best flowering. It will tolerate some shade with the sacrifice of fewer flowers and thinner appearance.

SALT

Moderate Salt Spray Tolerance – it will tolerate some spray, but it is best to have more protection such as a fence or building as an additional barrier behind the first row of plantings or the first dunes.

SOIL

It will grow on a wide variety of well-drained soils in the pH range of 5.5 to 7.5.

WATERING

It has moderate drought tolerance once established, so some water is needed for survival in dry spells. As with most plants, though, ample irrigation in droughts keeps it healthier and looking better.

PROPAGATION

Seeds; cuttings taken in July

PRUNING

Prune regularly to encourage bushiness, otherwise it can become leggy, preferably after heavier flowering is done.

FERTILIZING

It has no special fertilizer needs. Unless a soil test suggests otherwise, a slow-release balanced analysis fertilizer applied per the product label will work.

PESTS

Caterpillars - University of Missouri

Spider Mites - University of California

DISEASES

None of significance

DEER

Resistant

There are very few totally “deer-proof” plants. There are also, relatively speaking, few plants that are considered a preferred food supply of deer. Most plants fall in the big gap between. One of the biggest variables is the available preferred food supply in a given area. If their preferred food is scarce, they will munch on most anything.

OTHER

USES

Hedge, specimen plant, mixed plantings, foundation plant, containers

TOXICITY

A search of California Poison Control, ASPCA, Texas A&M University, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System, University of Wisconsin, Poisonous Houseplants and Ornamentals - Merck Vet Manual, Purdue University - Guide to Toxic Plants in Forages, Poisonous Plants of the Southeastern United States - Alabama Cooperative Extension, Florida Poison Control, University of California, and The Cat Fanciers Association did not show this plant on any of their lists.