Cercocarpus ledifolius (Curl Leaf Mountain Mahogany)
Kingdom
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Plantae Plants
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Subkingdom
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Tracheobionta Vascular plants
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Superdivision
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Spermatophyta Seed plants
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Division
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Magnoliophyta Flowering plants
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Class
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Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons
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Subclass
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Rosidae
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Order
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Rosales
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Family
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Rosaceae Rose family
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Genus
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Cercocarpus Kunth mountain mahogany
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Species
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Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt. curl-leaf mountain mahogany
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A very unusual,
small evergreen tree for dry sunny sites.
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A native of western
North America this tree is often found along side pine trees in
mountainous regions where rocky soils are present.
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Mature trees can
reach 45 feet but expect around 25 feet in most landscape situations.
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The small glossy
dark green leaves have rolled margins and are hairy underneath.
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Small white flowers
appear along the leaf axles but more decorative are the long fuzzy
plumed fruit.
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It is hardy in USDA
zones 5-9, and very draught tolerant once established.
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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.
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The hard wood was
great for smoking meat and sturdy for making arrow shafts.
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Mountain Mahogany is
listed as important winter forage for big game animals due to the
unusually high protein content of the leaves.
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Photo, left, credit: Walter Siegmund; Photo, center, credit: Stan Shebs,
Lee Canyon, NV;
Photo, right, credit: Walter Siegmund_Lava Beds National Monument |
sm.jpg)  
Photo, left, credit: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA;
Photo, right, credit: Dcrjsr |

 
Photo, left, credit: Davefoc; Photo, center, credit: Dcrjsr;
Photo, right, credit: Stan Shebs, Lee Canyon, NV |