Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany:  Rosaceae  Cercocarpus   ledifolius
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mahogany



leaves



leaves



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Flowers- just past their prime - April 29, 2013
blooms

Beginning to form the seed pod
forming seed pod



Photo Details:  © Nicky Davis
1., 2., 3., 4. June 28, 2012 at Squaw Peak Road , Utah County, Utah
5. September 25, 2004, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah
6.  Flowers - April 29, 2013 - Wasatch Blvd, Salt Lake County, Utah
7.  Beginning to form seed pod.
 
Description
Size:  35 feet  tall and 3 feet  wide  
Leaves: elliptic to lanceolate, 0.48 to 1 inch,  long, leathery,  resinous, and curled under at the margins 

 Habitat:   In shallow to moderately deep soil at middle to high elevations on gentle to steep slopes,  rock outcrops, and ridges. It  is able to extend its taproot into cracks in bedrock, tapping into otherwise unavailable water supplies. It  can be extremely long-lived and some have been found that were 1,350 years old.  It is somewhat shade tolerant. It is able to grow in open coniferous forests; but it occurs most often and grows best on sites without forest canopy
Seed: seed may remain viable for a number of years. The seedlings are sensitive to drought, frost, and browsing 

Flowers:  May to July - tube-shaped and have no petals
 Uses:  An important food source of food for wintering Mule Deer and in summer, Big Horn Sheep as it contains enough protein.   The wood is so dense that it doesn't float.  It is an excellent fuel and burns for a long time. Goshute indians from Utah used mahogany to make bows.

Among other places, Ledifolia  is also found at
 Middle Canyon, Tooele County, Utah
 East Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah
 Wasatch Blvd. Salt Lake City, Utah
 Blue Canyon, Tooele County, Utah

Host plant for larvae of
Behr's Hairstreak Butterfly - Satyrium behrii crossi
  per Jack Harry. 
I also reared some behrii lavae on  ledifolia

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