SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 9304.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "9304" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

curl-leaf mountain mahogany

Scientific Name: Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intercedens

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 and resilient plant native to North America.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant may form impenetrable thickets.
  • Leaves are persistent.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant may form impenetrable thickets.
  • Leaves are persistent.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt.
  • Common Name: Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany
  • Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: curlleaf cercocarpus, desert mountainmahogany
  • Subspecies: Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt. var. intermontanus N. Holmgren

Distribution and Habitat

Curl-leaf mountain mahogany is widely distributed in western North America, specifically in the Intermountain West basins, from the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada northeast. It thrives in desert mountains, open, semi-arid habitats, hills, and mountain ranges.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Evergreen shrub or small tree, typically growing from 3 to 20 feet high, but occasionally reaching 45 feet.
  • Can grow to 8 meters (26ft 3in).
  • Densely branched, upright growth habit.
  • Slow growth rate.
  • Young stems are reddish and tomentose, becoming gray with age.
  • Bark color: white or silver.
  • Leaves:
    • Alternate, simple, and persistent.
    • Commonly clustered on spur shoots.
    • Small (1/2 to 1 inch long).
    • Lanceolate in shape.
    • Evergreen.
    • Dark-green on top, with white-lanate underside.
    • Edges are curled under.
  • Flowers: Tiny, hermaphroditic flowers are solitary or in auxiliary clusters, appearing in March.

Ecological Role

This ecological system occurs in hills and mountain ranges of the Intermountain West basins. It provides good winter browse for deer.

Hardiness

  • Hardy to zone (UK) 6.
  • Zone: 3 to 8.

Quirky Facts

  • Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany is considered underutilized in landscaping.
  • It is known for its silver bark and leaves that curl at the edges.
  • One massive curlleaf mountain mahogany was initially spotted on a hunting excursion.