Cercocarpus montanus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cercocarpus montanus |
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| Its feather-like fruits are called achenes | |
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Cercocarpus
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| Species: |
montanus
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Alder-leaf mountain-mahogany (scientific name: Cercocarpus montanus) is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Rosaceae family, which also includes roses. This plant grows naturally in North America. You can find it in northern Mexico and the western United States. It's also called alder-leaf cercocarpus or true mountain-mahogany. One special kind, argenteus, is known as silverleaf mountain-mahogany.
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Where Alder-Leaf Mountain-Mahogany Grows
Cercocarpus montanus is a common plant. It grows in different areas across North America. You can find it in chaparral scrublands. It also grows on flat-topped hills called mesas. This plant is often seen in the lower parts of the Rocky Mountains. It also thrives in the wide, open spaces of the Great Plains.
States and Countries Where It Lives
The range of this plant is quite large. In the United States, it grows from Montana in the north. It is also found in Idaho and South Dakota. Its habitat stretches south into Mexico. There, it grows in states like Sonora, Durango, and Nuevo León.
What Alder-Leaf Mountain-Mahogany Looks Like
This plant is usually a shrub or a small tree. It often stays less than 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall. This is because animals like elk and deer often eat its leaves and branches. However, if it's not eaten, it can grow much taller. Some plants can reach up to 20 feet (6.1 m) in height.
Plant Features
The bark of the alder-leaf mountain-mahogany is thin and smooth. This plant is known for living a very long time. Its flowers change color. When they first open, they appear red. As they fully open, they turn yellow. The plant produces small fruits called achenes. These fruits have a unique feather-like look.
Animals That Eat It
Besides elk and deer, other animals also enjoy eating this plant. The yellow-haired porcupine is another animal that feeds on Cercocarpus montanus. This shows how important the plant is to the local wildlife.
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Flowers appear red when they first open
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Flowers are yellow when fully expanded
See also
In Spanish: Cercocarpus montanus para niños
