Desert mountain mahogany facts for kids

The Desert Mountain Mahogany (scientific name: Cercocarpus breviflorus) is a special plant. People also call it the Hairy Mountain Mahogany. It belongs to the rose family, just like roses you might know! This plant grows naturally in northern Mexico and the southwestern parts of the United States.

What it Looks Like

The Desert Mountain Mahogany is an evergreen plant. This means its leaves stay green all year round. It can grow as a tree or a large bush. It often reaches about 5 metres (16 ft) (about 16 feet) tall. Many branches often grow right from the bottom of the plant.

Its small leaves are shaped like a long oval (called oblong). They can also be wider at the top and narrower at the base (called oblanceolate). Each leaf is about 2 cm (1 in) long. They feel soft and fuzzy because they are pubescent. Most of the leaf edges are smooth (entire). But some leaves might have a few small, soft teeth near the tip.

The leaves often grow in small bundles. These bundles have two to four leaves each. They are called fascicles. These little tufts of leaves are separated by parts of the branch that have no leaves.

The flowers of this plant are not very noticeable. They are yellowish-green and shaped like tubes. They grow where the leaves meet the stem. This spot is called the axil.

After the flowers, the plant makes fruits. These fruits are called achenes. They are small and dry. Each fruit has a long, twisted, and hairy part attached to it. This part is called a style. It stays on the fruit and looks like a long, narrow feather.

Where it Grows

The Hairy Mountain Mahogany lives in the mountains. You can find it in the southwestern United States. This includes the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It also grows in northern Mexico. It spreads from Sonora to Tamaulipas. You can find it as far south as Querétaro. This plant can grow on different kinds of rocks. It likes both limestone and igneous rock.

Plant Neighbors

The Hairy Mountain Mahogany grows at medium-high places in the mountains. It often shares its home with other plants. These include the pinyon pine (Pinus edulis). It also grows near the alligator juniper (Juniperus deppeana). Another neighbor is the one-seed juniper (Juniperus monosperma).

Other plants it grows with are the cliff fendlerbush (Fendlera rupicola). You might also see antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata). It also grows near Quercus benthamii and skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata).

Often, the branches of the Hairy Mountain Mahogany are covered with lichens. Lichens are like fuzzy or crusty growths. They are a mix of a fungus and an algae living together.