Mountain Mahogany, Curl-leaf mountain mahogany

Cercocarpus ledifolius

Physical Characteristics

Cercocarpus ledifolius is an evergreen Tree growing to 8 m (26ft 3in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

Western N. America - Washington to California, west to Wyoming, Arizona and New Mexico.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Tea The scraped bark makes a flavourful addition to a brew of Mormon tea (Ephedra spp.)[183].

Medicinal Uses

Cardiac Haemostatic Poultice Stomachic TB Tonic VD Mountain mahogany was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[257]. It is virtually not used in modern herbalism. The bark is antihaemorrhagic, cardiac, stomachic and tonic[257]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds, pneumonia, spitting up of blood, stomach aches, diarrhoea (including for children), tuberculosis and VD[257]. A poultice of the green powdered wood has been applied to sores, cuts, wounds and burns[257]. It has also been sprinkled on syphilitic sores[257]. An exudation from the plant has been dried, ground into a powder and applied to the ear to treat earaches[257].

Known Hazards

None known