Catalina Island mountain mahogany
Cercocarpus traskiae
Last reviewed: October 2026
Catalina Island mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus traskiae) is a perennial tree native to CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw small bees and flies.
Toxicity unknown
Catalina Island mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus traskiae) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
120"–240" H × 96"–180" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA
Pollinators
small bees, flies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A rare evergreen shrub or small tree with leathery, toothed leaves and small, inconspicuous flowers followed by distinctive seeds bearing long, silvery, feathery plumed tails. Grows on dry, rocky canyon slopes, found naturally in only one wild population.
Growing Catalina Island mountain mahogany
Grow Catalina Island mountain mahogany in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 120 to 240 inches tall and spread 96 to 180 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The dense evergreen foliage offers year-round cover for birds, and the feathery seed plumes aid wind dispersal while also catching light attractively in the landscape.
Common questions
- How much sun does Catalina Island mountain mahogany need?
- Catalina Island mountain mahogany grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Catalina Island mountain mahogany bloom?
- Catalina Island mountain mahogany blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Catalina Island mountain mahogany native?
- Catalina Island mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus traskiae) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Catalina Island mountain mahogany attract?
- Catalina Island mountain mahogany draws small bees and flies.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Catalina Island mountain mahogany? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.