Summary[]
The Birch Leaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides) is a shrub or small tree in the rose family. The common name "mahogany" comes from the hardness and color of the wood, although the genus is not a true mahogany.
Origin[]
Nativity[]
The plant is native to California, Baja California, Oregon, Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico. It typically grows in summer dry areas of the foothills and mountains of California, often in chaparral communities.
Name[]
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".
Appearance of Flower and Fruit []
The plant species produce white flowers which are small, clustered, and mildly scented; similar to acacia.
The fruit is a tubular achene with the long, plumelike flower style still attached.
