Curl-leaf mountain mahogany

Cercocarpus ledifolius

Long-lived evergreen tree or shrub 3-35 ft. tall with whitish-yellow flower tubes and seeds with a long twisted hairy tail, blooming March to October. Adapted to a wide range of shallow to deep well-drained, nutrient-poor soils on dry rocky mountain slopes and ridges; 1,000 to 11,000 ft. elevation. Shallow but wide root system; able to fix nitrogen. Component of sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, mountain brush, quaking aspen and fir-spruce communities. Fire intolerant but may root sprout weakly after low-severity wildfire. Highly preferred forage for numerous large wild ungulates especially deer and elk; also used by moose, bighorn sheep and pronghorn. Numerous small mammals and birds use for nesting, cover and seeds. Caterpillar host of the native moth Stamnodes animata.