About Cercocarpus montanus var. minutiflorus (Abrams) Martin
Description and ecology: Cercocarpus montanus often stays under 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall due to browsing by elk and deer, but it can reach up to 20 feet (6.1 m). It has thin, smooth bark, and the species is considered long-lived. It is also eaten by the yellow-haired porcupine. Distribution: Cercocarpus montanus is common in chaparral scrub, on mesas, the lower foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Plains in the United States. Its range stretches from Montana, Idaho, and South Dakota south to Sonora, Durango, and Nuevo León. Cultivation: Alder-leaf mountain-mahogany is sometimes grown as a drought-tolerant garden plant, especially within its native range. It is relatively unobtrusive through most seasons, but it is known for the beauty of its seed in fall. Wildflower writer Claude A. Barr stated that the shiny hairs on the curled plumes attached to the seed are particularly attractive when seen in sunlight.
