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Cercocarpus montanus (Alderleaf mountain mahogany)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Cercocarpus montanus Raf.

Alderleaf mountain mahogany, Alder-leaf mountain-mahogany, Mountain mahogany, Silverleaf mountain mahogany

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

USDA Symbol: CEMO2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Alder-leaf Mountain Mahogany is an 8-20 ft. shrub or small tree with very attractive, almost-evergreen leaves - dark green on top and fuzzy silver underneath. Non-showy flowers are followed by feathery, silvery-white fruits, occuring from May to November.

Variety glaber is known by the common names Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany and Hardtack, among others. It is a common shrub in chaparral vegetation, sprouting after fire. It is also an important browse plant for deer, cattle, and sheep. The common and scientific names both refer to the resemblance of the leaves to those of shrubby birches. It is called Hardtack perhaps from its ability to withstand cutting, fire, drought, and heavy browsing. Cercocarpus, from the Greek words for tail and fruit, describes the hairy tails or plumes from the elongated flower style. These hairy fruits are carried long distances by the wind; animals harbor them in their fur, also aiding dispersal. After falling to the ground, the oddly shaped fruits twist into the soil.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: 8-20 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , KS , MT , NE , NM , NV , OK , OR , SD , TX , UT , WY
Native Distribution: S.w. OR to Baja CA, & in the Rockies & Great Basin from Treasure Co., MT & SD to Mex.
Native Habitat: Rocky hillsides; cliffs; open woods; mesas
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Alder-leaf mountain-mahogany is a shrub or small tree with very attractive, almost-evergreen leaves - dark green on top and fuzzy silver underneath. Non-showy flowers are followed by feathery, silvery-white fruits, occuring from May to November. It fixes nitrogen and is good for revegetation and erosion control. It tolerates both hot/dry and cooler/shadier sites, and is pH adaptable. Found mostly in the Texas panhandle.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Because this is a favorite deer browse, it seldom, in nature, achieves a tree-like form.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Cercocarpus montanus is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Western sheepmoth
(Hemileuca eglanterina)
Food Source
Learn more at BAMONA 		Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
(Satyrium tetra)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Slow-growing from seeds; sow in cool soil. Heel cutting from summer wood may root.
Seed Treatment: Deplumed seeds should be soaked in water for thirty minutes before sowing. Stratification may then be necessary for 30 days at 41 degrees. Some sources recommend scarification for 10-20 minutes in concentrated sulfuric acid followed by 5-10 minutes of r
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Privacy hedge for South Dakota
August 08, 2008
Hi, I'm looking for something to use as a hedge. 8 foot or so tall offering semi privacy all year. I like dogwoods but loss of leaves in the winter makes me skeptical. Boxwood would be interesting...
view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cercocarpus montanus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cercocarpus montanus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cercocarpus montanus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-05-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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