Birch-leaf Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus glaber
(Cercocarpus betuloides)
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Drawn from live specimen observed in the Superstition Mts., Pinal Co., AZ. 29 Feb 1992.
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RANGE: Where the Upland Sonoran Desert of Arizona meets the Interior
Chaparral. Mostly above 1200 m elevation. Mountain mahogany can also be
found at higher altitudes in pinyon-juniper and even marginal ponderosa pine
habitats.
LEAVES: Tough, leathery leaves are orbicular or wedge-shaped with the
margin of the distal half finely toothed. Underside veins prominent.
FRUIT: An elongated nut-like achene is tipped with a conspicuous
feathery plume several centimeters in length. Each flower has one pistil.
Observed in the southern foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains, Yavapai Co., Arizona. 24 May 2009.
SHRUB: A medium to large shrub in Arizona. The shrubs can regrow after a
fire because the underground root-crowns generally survive. Thus the presence
of mountain mahogany may perpetuate a fire cycle typical of chaparral habitat.
FLOWERS: Yellowish-cream flowers are quite fragrant appear early spring.
There are no petals but the rim of the tubular hypanthium is flared and
flower-like. One to three dozen stamens.
UNARMED: The twigs are stiff but lack thorns.