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curl-leaf mountain mahogany
Scientific Name: Cercocarpus ledifolius
Family: Rosaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Tree, Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius)
Cercocarpus ledifolius, commonly known as curl-leaf mountain mahogany, is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree native to western North America. It's appreciated for its resilience and adaptability in various landscapes.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant is a woody shrub.
- Leaves are evergreen and persistent, potentially tempting to pets.
Considerations for Children
- The plant is a woody shrub that grows to a small tree.
- Leaves are evergreen and persistent.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt.
- Common Names: Curl-leaf mountain mahogany, curl-leaf cercocarpus, desert mountainmahogany.
- Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Synonym: Curlleaf cercocarpus
- Subordinate Taxa: Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt. var. intermontanus N. Holmgren
- Alternative Scientific Name: Cercocarpus montanus (misidentified in some sources)
Distribution and Habitat
- Widely distributed in western North America, including the western U.S.
- Found in desert mountains and hills.
- Occupies habitats in the Intermountain West basins, extending from the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada northeast.
- Grows at middle elevations.
- Common in open, semi-arid habitats.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Evergreen shrub or small tree, typically reaching 3 to 20 feet (approximately 1 to 8 meters) in height, but occasionally growing up to 45 feet.
- Slow growth rate.
- Densely branched with one to several trunks.
- Young stems are reddish and tomentose, becoming gray with age.
- Bark is sometimes described as silver or white.
- Leaves are alternate, simple, persistent (evergreen), and commonly clustered on short spur shoots.
- Leaf blades are linear, 1–3 cm long, nearly glabrous above, and white-lanate below.
- Leaf edges are curled under.
- Flowers are hermaphrodite and appear in March (in some regions).
- Flowers are tiny, solitary, or in auxiliary clusters.
Ecological Role
- Provides good winter browse for deer.
- Forms impenetrable thickets in some areas.
- Well-developed stands are often found on warm, dry, rocky sites.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Deer browse on the plant during winter.
Resources and Further Information
- Dave's Garden (website)
- CalPhotos (database with images)
- ResearchGate (platform for scientific publications)
- New Mexico State University (extension services)