Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus
Last reviewed: September 2026
Cercocarpus montanus is a low-water, full-sun shrub that grows on dry slopes and foothills across the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains, blooming from March through May with small flowers followed by feathery seed plumes.
Toxicity unknown
Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) 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.
Mountain Mahogany is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a moderate level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
96"–240" H × 96"–240" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AZ, CO, ID, NE and 7 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, moths
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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Mountain Mahogany is a drought-tolerant native shrub that develops into a substantial, rounded form over time. It produces small spring flowers followed by distinctive feathery seed plumes that catch the light beautifully. This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established.
Growing Mountain Mahogany
Grow Mountain Mahogany in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 96 to 240 inches tall and spread 96 to 240 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Mountain Mahogany takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
The spring blooms attract butterflies and moths, while the seeds provide food for birds. Its dense branching structure offers nesting sites and shelter for various wildlife species.
Common questions
- How much water does Cercocarpus montanus need?
- This shrub thrives with low supplemental water once established, making it well suited to dry, well-drained sites such as rocky slopes and foothill terrain.
- What kind of light does Mountain Mahogany prefer?
- Cercocarpus montanus grows best in full sun and can tolerate some part sun, particularly in open, rocky settings with good drainage.
- When does Mountain Mahogany bloom?
- Cercocarpus montanus produces small, inconspicuous flowers from March through May, followed by distinctive feathery, twisted seed plumes.
- What pollinators visit Mountain Mahogany flowers?
- Butterflies and moths visit Cercocarpus montanus, though its flowers are modest in size and not a major nectar draw compared to showier shrubs.
- Does Mountain Mahogany keep its leaves year round?
- Cercocarpus montanus is semi-evergreen, retaining many leaves through mild winters while dropping more foliage in colder, higher elevation sites.
- Is Mountain Mahogany toxic to livestock?
- Mountain Mahogany is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (moderate severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- Is Mountain Mahogany HOA-friendly?
- Mountain Mahogany takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 Mountain Mahogany? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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