{"product_id":"cercocarpus-ledifolius-curl-leaf-mountain-mahogany-rosaceae","title":"Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany","description":"\u003ch1\u003eCurl-leaf Mountain Mahogany\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCercocarpus Ledifolius\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRosaceae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpokane Native\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSun-Part Sun\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize:  10'-30’ tall x 6'-15’ wide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrought Tolerant: Yes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvergreen: Yes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlower Color: yellow\/white (April-June)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWildlife Value: provides forages for deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep; provides critical winter forage providing protein requirements; winter cover for wildlife; seeds eaten by birds and small mammals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCurl-leaf Mountain Mahogany is a slow-growing, long-lived evergreen shrub or small tree native to dry, rocky slopes, ridges, and canyons throughout eastern Washington and the broader Intermountain West. Typically developing one to four main trunks, it grows 6 to 15 feet tall on average, though exceptional specimens may reach 35 feet. The contorted, twisted trunks and spreading crown thrive in harsh environments with rocky, gravelly, well-drained soils, full sun, and little water.  This drought-adapted species tolerates extreme heat, cold, and poor soil conditions where few other woody plants survive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe distinctive evergreen leaves are lance-shaped, leathery, resinous, and aromatic, measuring 1.5 to 4 centimeters long with rolled-under margins that give the plant its \"curl-leaf\" name. The upper surface is dark green while the underside is paler with rusty to white hairs and a prominent midvein. The inconspicuous flowers consist of small, funnel-shaped yellow-white tubes from which protrude long, plumelike styles covered in luxuriant tan hairs. These are followed by the plant's most striking feature: small, hard achenes tipped with persistent, feathery, corkscrew-twisted tails 4 to 5 centimeters long that resemble pipe cleaners. These distinctive seed structures facilitate wind dispersal and enable seeds to penetrate and anchor in the ground.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCurl-leaf Mountain Mahogany provides exceptional value to wildlife, offering high-quality browse that meets or exceeds protein requirements for wintering big game animals including deer, elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. Though mature stands place much foliage out of browsing reach, they provide excellent winter cover and habitat. Birds and small mammals consume the seeds throughout the year. The extremely dense, heavy wood sinks in water and was prized by Native Americans including the Paiute, Shoshone, and Goshute peoples for making bows, spearheads, and digging sticks due to its strength and durability. The bark was used medicinally for treating colds and other ailments, often boiled with Ephedra for a pleasant-tasting tea, and to create rose-colored dye. The wood produces intense heat, burns slowly, and was historically the preferred fuel for smelting ores during the Comstock era and is still valued for barbecue fuel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis distinctive native excels as an evergreen hedge with pruning, as a specimen plant showcasing its sculptural form, or in groups for screening and wildlife habitat. Its extreme drought tolerance and adaptability to poor, rocky soils make it invaluable for xeriscapes, water-wise landscapes, and challenging sites where other plants fail. Plant on slopes for erosion control or in habitat gardens where its exceptional wildlife value can be appreciated. Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany pairs beautifully with big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), and native bunchgrasses. Once established, this low-maintenance plant requires no supplemental water and thrives on neglect, making it perfect for low-input landscapes and high-elevation restoration projects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0774\/5440\/9961\/files\/Screenshot_2025-12-27_135040.png?v=1766872256\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tanager, LLC","offers":[{"title":"10 cu in","offer_id":49965610795241,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0774\/5440\/9961\/files\/Cercocarpus_Ledifolius_-_Curl-leaf_Mountain_Mahogany_-_branches.png?v=1766872331","url":"https:\/\/www.tanagergreenhouse.com\/products\/cercocarpus-ledifolius-curl-leaf-mountain-mahogany-rosaceae","provider":"Tanager, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}