Mountain mahogany | |
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var. blancheae in fruit | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rosaceae |
Genus: | Cercocarpus |
Species: | C. betuloides
|
Binomial name | |
Cercocarpus betuloides
Nutt. 1840
| |
Natural range of Cercocarpus betuloides | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber (S. Watson) F.L. Martin |
Cercocarpus betuloides is a shrub or small tree in the rose family. [2] Its common names include mountain mahogany and birch leaf mountain mahogany [2] [3] The common name "mahogany" comes from the hardness and color of the wood, although the genus is not a true mahogany. [2]
The plant is native to California, Baja California, Oregon, Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico. [4] It typically grows in summer dry areas of the foothills and mountains of California, often in chaparral communities. [2]
Cercocarpus betuloides is a shrub or small tree growing from 3 feet (0.91 m) to 30 feet (9.1 m). [2] [5] Its branches are incised and muscular in appearance from the side. In cross section they appear lobed.
Common shrub associates within the chaparral community include toyon. [6]
The leaves are distinctive in that they have smooth edges from the base to about half way up, then are wavy or toothed to the rounded tip. [2]
Betula is the birch genus, and the species name refers to the birch-like leaves. [2]
The white flowers are small, clustered, and mildly scented, similar to acacia. [2]
The fruit is a tubular achene with the long, plumelike flower style still attached.
The genus name comes from the Greek kerkos ("tail"), referring to the tail-like appearance of the fruit; and carpus ("fruit"), thus, "fruit with tail".
There are three varieties: [7] [8]
Cercocarpus betuloides is sometimes treated as a part of Cercocarpus montanus, [13] var. glaber in particular. [14]
Deer, cattle and sheep browse the plant. [15]
The reddish [ citation needed] wood of the shrub is very hard and was traditionally used by the indigenous peoples of California to make arrow tips, fishing spears, and digging sticks. [2]
Cercocarpus betuloides is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty nurseries for planting in native plant, drought tolerant, and wildlife gardens; and in designed natural landscaping projects and habitat restoration programs. [16] [17]