Mountain mahogany facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain mahogany |
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| C. ledifolius var. intricatus | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Subfamily: | Dryadoideae |
| Genus: | Cercocarpus Kunth |
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Several, see text |
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| Synonyms | |
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Cercocarpus, also known as mountain mahogany, is a group of at least nine types of flowering plants. These plants are special because they can help add nitrogen to the soil, which is important for plant growth. They belong to the rose family, just like roses and apples!
You can find mountain mahogany plants in the western United States and northern Mexico. They often grow in dry, shrubby areas called chaparral and semideserts, usually high up in the mountains. Some types are common in the California chaparral and woodlands area.
These plants are usually deciduous shrubs or small trees. This means they lose their leaves in the fall or winter. They typically grow to be about 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet) tall. Some can even reach up to 13 meters (40 feet)! However, one type, C. montanus, often stays under 1 meter (3 feet) tall because animals like elk and deer love to eat its leaves.
The name Cercocarpus comes from two Greek words: kerkos, which means "tail," and karpos, which means "fruit." This name describes the cool, tail-like plume you can see on their fruits.
What is Mountain Mahogany?
For a long time, scientists weren't sure exactly where Cercocarpus fit within the large rose family. It was first placed in a group called Rosoideae, but now it's in a different group called Dryadoideae. This shows how scientists are always learning more about plants!
Types of Mountain Mahogany
There are many different kinds of mountain mahogany. Here are some of the main species:
- Cercocarpus betuloides – This one is called birch-leaf mountain mahogany because its leaves look a bit like birch leaves.
- There are also special types of this plant, like the island mountain mahogany found on islands.
- Cercocarpus breviflorus – Known as hairy mountain mahogany.
- Cercocarpus intricatus – This type is often found in rocky, dry places.
- Cercocarpus ledifolius – Called curl-leaf mountain mahogany because its leaves are often curled.
- Cercocarpus montanus – This is the alder-leaf mountain mahogany, which often stays small due to animals eating it.
Scientists are always studying plants, and sometimes they find new types or learn more about how different types are related.
See also
In Spanish: Cercocarpus para niños
