About Cercocarpus betuloides Nutt.
Cercocarpus betuloides Nutt. is a shrub or small tree belonging to the rose family. Its common names are mountain mahogany and birch leaf mountain mahogany. It gets the common name "mahogany" from the hardness and color of its wood, even though this genus is not a true mahogany. This species is native to California, Baja California, Oregon, Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico. It most often grows in summer-dry areas of California's foothills and mountains, and is frequently found growing in chaparral communities. Deer, cattle, and sheep browse this plant for food. The shrub's reddish wood is very hard. Indigenous peoples of California traditionally used this wood to create arrow tips, fishing spears, and digging sticks. Today, Cercocarpus betuloides is grown as an ornamental plant by specialty nurseries. It is planted in native plant gardens, drought tolerant gardens, and wildlife gardens, as well as in planned natural landscaping projects and habitat restoration programs.
