Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database

Cercocarpus ledifolius (Curl Leaf Mountain Mahogany)

Kingdom Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass Rosidae

Order Rosales

Family Rosaceae – Rose family

Genus Cercocarpus Kunth – mountain mahogany

Species Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt. – curl-leaf mountain mahogany

A very unusual, small evergreen tree for dry sunny sites.

Mature trees can reach 45 feet but expect around 25 feet in most landscape situations.

A native of Western North America this tree is often found along side pine trees in mountainous regions where rocky soils are present.

The small glossy dark green leaves have rolled margins and are hairy underneath.

Small white flowers appear along the leaf axles but more decorative are the long fuzzy plumed fruit.

It is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, and very draught tolerant once established.

The gray bark becomes attractive and furrowed with age and the new twigs are an attractive red. Native Americans used this tree medicinally and also made a dye from the red inner bark.

The hard wood was great for smoking meat and sturdy for making arrow shafts.

Mountain Mahogany is listed as important Winter forage for big game animals due to the unusually high protein content of the leaves.