Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intricatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intricatus |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Cercocarpus |
| Species: | |
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C. l. var. intricatus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intricatus (S.Watson) M.E.Jones
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| Synonyms | |
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Cercocarpus intricatus S. Watson |
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Little-leaf mountain mahogany (scientific name: Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intricatus) is a special type of plant. It's known by a few names, like narrowleaf mahogany or dwarf mountain mahogany. This plant is a variety of the larger Cercocarpus ledifolius species, which is also called mountain mahogany.
Where It Grows
The little-leaf mountain mahogany is found in the Southwestern United States. You can see it from California all the way to Colorado. It loves dry places, like deserts, and often grows in rocky areas.
This tough plant can be found on mountain slopes. It lives in different plant communities. These include pinyon juniper woodlands and ponderosa pine forests. It's well-suited to these dry environments.
What It Looks Like
The little-leaf mountain mahogany is a shrub that grows thickly. It can spread out or stand tall, reaching about one to three meters high. That's like saying it can be as tall as a small car!
Branches and Leaves
Its many short, gray branches have tiny leaves. These leaves are evergreen, meaning they stay green all year. Each leaf is thick and short, usually less than a centimeter long. Their edges are rolled under, and they feel leathery.
Flowers and Fruit
The plant's flowers are small, with two or three growing together. Each flower is like a tiny cup, only a few millimeters wide. Inside, you'll see several parts sticking out called stamens. There's also one pistil, which is the part that will become the fruit.
After the flower petals fall off, a feathery part called the style remains. This style can be up to two centimeters long. At its very tip, you'll find the fruit, which is a small, dry seed called an achene.
