Cercocarpus betuloides

Identification

Description

Mountain Mahogany is an evergreen shrub, 8', found in Oregon, California, and east to the Rocky Mountains. The whole plant appears silvery in the late summer through fall, due to the feathery fruits. The plant has much smaller and hairier leaves than C. alnifolius, a graceful shape and open structure, so it looks more "native", while C. alnifolius looks more like a typical garden plant. Cercocarpus betuloides tolerates full sun, is drought tolerant within its range, and tolerates clay soils and wind. A red dye can be obtained from the bark and roots. We observed no cold damage at -20 degrees F (but it will become deciduous). Deer do utilize this species as a browse plant. Native on the nursery site on north slopes in clay or granitic soils. All the Cercocarpus species are nitrogen fixing (Pinyuh) and good for revegetation, erosion control and wildlife. Stick on the hillside in amongst the Ceanothus and manzanita to create a different texture. Did I just type that?

Characteristics

Cercocarpus betuloides Mountain Mahogany tolerates sand, clay and serpentine.

Cercocarpus betuloides Mountain Mahogany's foliage color is silver and type is evergreen.
Cercocarpus betuloides Mountain Mahogany's flower color is na.

Communities

Communities for Cercocarpus betuloides Mountain Mahogany:Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Northern Oak Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland and Yellow Pine Forest.

Ranges for Cercocarpus betuloides

What does all this mean!?!

Available at our Online store.

Available at our Santa Margarita store.

Available at our Escondido store.