by DaySounds © 2013-16
Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus)
short tree if the soil, moisture, and other environmental conditions are optimal.
The flowers are tubular, looking like long trumpets, which are made of fused sepals
(green at first; then, pink/red. Each flower has multiple stamens, but only one style,
which produces one seed with a long tail that coils when dry and uncoils when wet.
Tiny gray hairs cover both sides of the leaves. Its roots are hard and can grow to
about one yard (usually less) deep, and can spread laterally to about 3 yards.
It can be used (in small quantities) as a laxative, with emetic properties. We do not
advice its consumption as food or drink. However, it can be used to repel insects
from backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents. Since its wood is hard, it can be used to
make bows, arrow heads, ground digging tools, and for tent spikes. It also can be used
for campfires--after the fire is hot, because it keeps burning longer than the average
wood; however, its uses as tinder or kindling are rather poor because it takes a while
for it to catch fire.
Note.- The genus Cercocarpus is not the source for the famous mahogany wood,
which comes mostly from Swietenia genus trees.
©DaySounds
PO Box 746497
Arvada, CO 80006
USA