Cercocarpus betuloides

$9.90 – $10.90

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Mountain Mahogany

Mountain mahogany is an erect, slow to moderate growing shrub or small tree growing 10-15′ tall x 6′ wide. Space 12-15′ apart.

Prune-able for a narrow planting area, side yard, screen, or hedge. A quietly colorful plant with smooth bark, reddish gray branches, and tiny yellow flowers followed by feather-like seeds. If possible, plant in a backlit location to appreciate this plant’s unusual, silvery, glittering appearance when in seed. Companion plants include many of the chaparral species including Oaks, Toyon, Coffeeberry, Manzanitas, Ceanothus, and Sages. It is tolerant of serpentine soils

Lifeform: Shrub, Tree

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade

Water: Dry, Light, Moderate

Soil: Clay, Loam, Rocky, Sand

Other: Attracts Bees, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Drought Tolerant

 

Ecological Value

Butterflies like the flowers and many small birds (particularly quail) love the dense vegetation for cover.
Container

2-Gal, D-40-O, D-40O, D-40
Historical Uses

Native American Californians used the hard wood for arrows, digging, spearing fish, and digging. The inner bark was used to make a purple dye and could also be used to treat colds.
Distribution

native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America.
Elevation

Between 0 and 8202 feet
Communities
Habitat

Dry rocky bluffs or mountain sides.

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