Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae
Island mountain-mahogany, Island Mountain-Mahogany
Photo: parent species Cercocarpus betuloides · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae (Island mountain-mahogany) is a native California shrub / tree in the Rosaceae family, recognized by large size, island habitat, and largest leaves in genus.
Island mountain-mahogany is a California native shrub found on the Channel Islands (except San Clemente Island) and southern Western Transverse Ranges in chaparral habitats at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces small white to cream flowers in clusters of 1 to 6. Growing as a shrub or small tree 2 to 7 meters tall with spreading branches, it develops a distinctive woody structure. Its leaves are wide to oblong-ovate, 2.7 to 7 centimeters long, with 6 to 8 lateral veins and widely toothed edges. The distinctive fruit has a hypanthium 8 to 13 millimeters long with an elongated style measuring 5 to 8 centimeters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; distinguished by large size, island habitat, and largest leaves in genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Bloom period
Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Ceanothus: Cercocarpus has no petals and feathery-tailed fruits; Ceanothus has tiny cupped petals and berry-like capsules.; vs Holodiscus: Cercocarpus flowers lack petals entirely; Holodiscus has tiny white petals in showy foam-like panicles.; vs Quercus: Cercocarpus has feathery-tailed fruits; oaks have acorns in cups.; vs Rhamnus: Cercocarpus has feathery-tailed dry fruits; Rhamnus has smooth berry-like drupes.; vs Alnus: Cercocarpus has feathery-tailed single fruits; Alnus has woody cone-like catkins.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae native to California?
Yes. Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae bloom?
Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae grow?
Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae belong to?
Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae is in the Rosaceae family, genus Cercocarpus.
Is Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae rare or endangered?
Cercocarpus betuloides var. blancheae carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus — Few flowered mountain mahogany
- Cercocarpus ledifolius — Curl-leaf mountain-mahogany
- Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intermontanus — Curl leaf mountain mahogany
- Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intricatus — Little leaved mountain mahogany
- Cercocarpus ledifolius var. ledifolius — Curl leaf mountain mahogany
- Cercocarpus minutiflorus — Smooth mountain mahogany
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.