Mountain-mahogany
Cercocarpus minutiflorus
Last reviewed: October 2026
Mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus minutiflorus) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in March and April. The flowers draw wind pollinated.
Toxicity unknown
Mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus minutiflorus) 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
72"–180" H × 72"–120" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr
Native to
CA
Pollinators
wind pollinated
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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This mountain mahogany is a dense, evergreen shrub with small leathery leaves and inconspicuous flowers followed by distinctive feathery-tailed seeds. It grows on dry chaparral slopes and forms a tight, hedge-like shape.
Growing Mountain-mahogany
Grow Mountain-mahogany in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 72 to 180 inches tall and spread 72 to 120 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The flowers are wind pollinated with minimal insect visitation, but the dense evergreen structure provides year-round cover and nesting sites for birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Mountain-mahogany need?
- Mountain-mahogany grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Mountain-mahogany bloom?
- Mountain-mahogany blooms in March and April.
- Where is Mountain-mahogany native?
- Mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus minutiflorus) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Mountain-mahogany attract?
- Mountain-mahogany draws wind pollinated.
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.