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Cercocarpus montanus - Raf.

Common Name Mountain Mahogany, Alderleaf mountain mahogany, Silver mountain mahogany, Island mountain mahogany,
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 6-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry rocky bluffs or mountainsides, 1,000 - 2,700 metres in Texas[227].
Range Western N. America - Washington to California.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cercocarpus montanus Mountain Mahogany, Alderleaf mountain mahogany,  Silver mountain mahogany, Island mountain mahogany,


Cercocarpus montanus Mountain Mahogany, Alderleaf mountain mahogany,  Silver mountain mahogany, Island mountain mahogany,
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Maylett

 

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Summary

Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Cercocarpus montanus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Laxative  Stomachic  Tonic

An infusion of the leaves has been used as a general strengthened to the system[257]. The roots and the bark have been used in the treatment of stomach complaints[257]. A cold infusion of the plant or leaves has been used as a laxative[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Broom  Dye  Fuel  Hedge  Hedge  Wood

Bunches of the tied stems have been used as rough brooms[257]. A red to brown dye can be obtained from the root bark[257]. The bark is often mixed with alder and wild plum root barks when making the dye[257]. Tolerant of maritime exposure and amenable to training, this species can be grown as a hedge in seaside gardens[K]. The wood is heavy, hard and brittle[82]. It makes a valuable fuel and is occasionally used in the manufacture of small articles for domestic and industrial use[82].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Hedge  Hedge  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Erosion control, Hedge, Screen. Requires a perfectly drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Tolerant of salt spray[200]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. This species has many sub-species. Whilst some forms are hardy to about -17°c when in a suitable soil and position, other forms are frost tender. The hardiest forms, succeeding in zone 5, are C. montanus argenteus (Rydb.)F.L.Matinn and C. montanus glaber (S.Wats.)F.L.Martin. Less hardy are C. montanus paucidentatus (S.Wats.)F.L.Martin which succeeds in zone 7, C. montanus blanchae (C.Schneid.)F.L.Martin and C. montanus minutiflorus (Abrams.)F.L.Martin are hardy in zone 8 whilst C. montanus traskiae (Eastw.)F.L.Martin. is the least hardy, to zone 9[200]. Some members of this genus have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200, 212]. Special Features:North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 6. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow autumn or late winter in a cold frame. Seed of the more tender forms is best sown in the late winter whilst hardier forms are best sown in the autumn. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States, Nebraska (west), Oklahoma, South Dakota (southwest), Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Utah,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cercocarpus ledifoliusMountain Mahogany, Curl-leaf mountain mahoganyTree8.0 0-0 SLMHNDM122

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Raf.

Botanical References

Links / References

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