Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus
Few flowered mountain mahogany
Photo: parent species Cercocarpus betuloides · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus (Few flowered mountain mahogany) is a native California shrub / tree in the Rosaceae family, recognized by few flowers (1-3), longest styles (8-11 cm), and northern conifer forest habitat.
Few flowered mountain mahogany is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, California Ranges, and North Coast Ranges in conifer forest at elevations of 280 to 1,800 meters. Flowering in June, this plant produces small, clustered flowers with white to cream-colored petals in groups of 1 to 3. Growing as a small shrub or tree 2 to 5 meters tall with spreading branches, it has a distinctive woody structure. Its leaves are obovate, 2 to 7 centimeters long, with 5 to 10 lateral veins and slightly toothed edges. The fruit develops with a remarkable feathery style measuring 8 to 11 centimeters long, creating a distinctive plume-like appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by few flowers (1-3), longest styles (8-11 cm), and northern conifer forest habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Conifer forest
Elevation: 280-1800 m
California counties: Shasta, Trinity, Siskiyou, Modoc, Riverside, Del Norte
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus blooms Jun.
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. macrourus native to California?
Yes. Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus bloom?
Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus blooms Jun.
Where in California does Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus grow?
Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus occurs in Shasta, Trinity, Siskiyou, Modoc, Riverside, Del Norte, at elevations of 280-1800 m.
What plant family does Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus belong to?
Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus is in the Rosaceae family, genus Cercocarpus.
What habitat does Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus grow in?
Cercocarpus betuloides var. macrourus grows in Conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Cercocarpus sp. — Mountain-mahogany
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.