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Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt.
Curl-leaf mountain mahogany, Curl-leaf mountain-mahogany
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
USDA Symbol: cele3
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Curl-leaf mountain-mahogany is a 10-20 ft. evergreen shrub or small tree with white bark and small, leathery leaves – dark-green on top and silvery underneath. Slightly resinous and aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree with compact, rounded crown of widely spreading, curved, and twisted branches and many stiff twigs. The leaves are narrow and pinched at the mid-rib, then bent to one side, hence the name curl-leaf. The flowers are inconspicuous, but the short, spiral, silver-haired seed plumes are eye-catching. The whole plant has a spicy aroma.
This species is a small tree characteristic of lower mountain slopes throughout the Great Basin. Deer browse the evergreen foliage year-round. The hard, heavy wood is an important source of fuel in local mining operations; it is also used for novelties, as it takes a high polish. The name Mountain-mahogany applied to this genus is misleading; these shrubby trees are not related to true mahogany (Swietenia), a valuable cabinetwood of tropical America. The dark reddish-brown, mahogany-colored heartwood may have led to this name. Navajo Indians made a red dye from the roots by grinding and then mixing them with juniper ashes and powdered alder bark.
From the Image Gallery
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Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYNative Distribution: W. MT to s.e. WA, s. to w. CO, n. AZ & CA
Native Habitat: High altitude desert areas; dry, rocky slopes; 4000-10,000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry, nutrient-poor soils.
Conditions Comments: Adaptable, hardy and trouble-free, this is a good dwarf specimen tree. The tree fixes nitrogen and is good for revegetation and erosion control. It is considered one of the hardiest broadleaf evergreen with the capacity for growing to tree size.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: An important browse species.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Description: Slow-growing from seeds; sow in cool soil. Heel cutting from summer wood may root.Seed Collection: Collect seeds as soon as the fruits are dry. This is usually indicated by a white aspect to the fruiting branches. Avoid exposure of skin to the hairy, white styles. Stored seeds remain viable for 5 years.
Seed Treatment: Three months moist chilling increases germination. Deplumed seeds should be soaked in water for thirty minutes before sowing.
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.
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:Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
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 pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Cercocarpus ledifolius in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Cercocarpus ledifolius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cercocarpus ledifolius
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01Research By: TWC Staff
