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Sturla, Gene

Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber

Cercocarpus montanus Raf. var. glaber (S. Watson) F.L. Martin

Smooth Mountain Mahogany, Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany, True Mountain Mahogany, Hard Tack

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s): Cercocarpus betuloides, Cercocarpus betuloides var. betuloides, Cercocarpus betuloides var. multiflorus

USDA Symbol: Cemog

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Hard tack, a variable, open shrub or small tree, usually grows from 8-20 ft. tall. Twigs may be stiff and erect or graceful and spreading. Bark is smooth gray. Birch-like, semi-evergreen to evergreen leaves are dark green, and inconspicuous flowers are followed by feathery seedheads that turn the plant silver in fall.

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 25 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , OR , TX
Native Distribution: S.w. OR to Baja CA, e. to AZ. Disjunct populations in W. TX.
Native Habitat: Dry slopes & washes below 6000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky, clay, or sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Nitrogen-fixing and good for revegetation and erosion control. Drought-tolerant. Volunteer seedlings can be expected when well-established.

Propagation

Description: Propagation is possible with untreated seed.
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.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.

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Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2025-02-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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