Cercocarpus betuloides, the birchleaf mountain mahogany, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It typically grows in dry areas in the foothills and mountains of California, often in chaparral communities, and in other parts of the Southwestern United States and Baja California.
The plant is native to California and Baja California, and into Oregon and Arizona. It typically grows in summer dry areas of the foothills and mountains of California, often in chaparral communities.[1]
Common shrub associates within the chaparral community include toyon.[4]
The leaves are distinctive in that they have smooth edges from the base to about half way up, then are wavy or toothed to the rounded tip.[1]Betula is the birch genus, and the species name refers to the birch-like leaves.[1]
The white flowers are small, clustered, and mildly scented, similar to acacia.[1]
The fruit is a tubular achene with the long, plumelike flower style still attached.
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".
There are three varieties:[5][6]
Cercocarpus betuloides is sometimes treated as a part of Cercocarpus montanus,[11] var. glaber in particular.[12]
The reddish[citation needed] wood of the shrub is very hard and was traditionally used by the indigenous peoples of California to make arrow tips, fishing spears, and digging sticks.[1]Cercocarpus betuloides is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty nurseries for planting in native plant, drought tolerant, and wildlife gardens; and in designed natural landscaping projects and habitat restoration programs. [13][14]