Cercocarpus ledifolius X C. montanus hybrid 



These hybrids are more erect and somewhat taller than the true mountain mahogany 

 growing in the same area. Their stature is more akin to that of curlleaf mountain 

 mahogany (fig. 11 and 13). 



The leaves of the hybrid are highly variable. In some instances, they resemble 

 curlleaf mountain mahogany and in other true mountain mahogany. While the persistence 

 of leaves on hybrid shrubs is more characteristic of curlleaf mountain mahogany than 

 true mountain mahogany, there is considerable variation of leaf persistence between 

 individual native hybrid plants. The hybrid is usually 2 to 4 weeks later in flower 

 development than true mountain mahogany. In this respect it is more like curlleaf 

 mountain mahogany. 



Hybridization: These plants are products of hybridization. They hybridize with 

 both parental species to form first and later generation backcrosses. 



Distribution and habitat: These hybrids occur in many places where the two parental 

 species are or have been contiguous. This has been particularly noted in Utah. Like 

 C. montanus, the hybrid apparently has some fire tolerance since it occurs on fire scars 

 where C. ledifolius is no longer present. 



Use: The C. led.ifolius X C. montanus hybrid is an excellent brow'se. However, be- 

 cause of its large stature, substantial portions of its twdgs and foliage are unavailable 

 to browsing animals. 



Cercocarpus montanus (True mountain mahiogany) 



True mountain mahogany is a shrub to 4 m in height or rarely a small tree to 6 m in 

 height (fig. 15). Leaves are deciduous, short-petioled, to 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, 

 and flat, with dentate margins (fig. 8 and 12). The plumose style (fig. 16) on the 

 fruit measures to 10 cm in length. Depending on elevation, the flow-ering period varies 

 from mid-May to late June, and fruit ripens from late July to mid- September . This 

 species is highly fire tolerant and resprouts vigorously on burns. 



Figure 15. — -True mountain 

 mahogany . 



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