Skip to content
Log inStart trial

San Diego Mountain Mahogany

Cercocarpus Minutiflorus

Design with this plant

Overview

San Diego Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus minutiflorus) is a resilient evergreen shrub native to California's chaparral biome, typically reaching up to 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. Renowned for its tough, leathery leaves and twisting branches, it bears tiny cream-colored flowers in spring, followed by feathery fruit tails. Prefers full sun, with low to moderate water requirements and well-draining soil. Acts as a striking accent or natural hedge in drought-resistant landscapes.

Sun FullWater Very LowZones 7–10Type ShrubClimate Temperate
San Diego Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus Minutiflorus) — typically reaching up to 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide
San Diego Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus Minutiflorus) — leathery leaves and twisting branchesCercocarpus MinutiflorusCercocarpus MinutiflorusCercocarpus MinutiflorusCercocarpus MinutiflorusCercocarpus Minutiflorus+15

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Very Low
USDA zones
7–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Shrub
Family
Rosaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (22)

San Diego Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus Minutiflorus) — typically reaching up to 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide
San Diego Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus Minutiflorus) — leathery leaves and twisting branches
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus
Cercocarpus Minutiflorus

Photograph: cultivar413, CC BY 2.0 · source

Related plants

20Th Century Pear (Pyrus Pyrifolia 'Nijisseiki') — Revered for its prolific white blooms in spring and lustrous green foliage

Tree

20Th Century Pear

Pyrus Pyrifolia 'Nijisseiki'

FullUSDA 4–8
Adelaide Hoodless Rose (Rosa 'Adelaide Hoodless') — The Rosa 'Adelaide Hoodless', commonly known as Adelaide Hoodless Rose, is a robust, winter-hardy shrub rose

Shrub

Adelaide Hoodless Rose

Rosa 'Adelaide Hoodless'

FullUSDA 5–9
Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus Montanus) — which are followed by distinctive feathery plumes that are the fruit

Shrub

Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany

Cercocarpus Montanus

FullUSDA 4–6
Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier Laevis) — These are relished by birds and can be used in jellies and pies; typically about 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter

Shrub

Allegheny Serviceberry

Amelanchier Laevis

FullUSDA 4–8
Alpine Lady'S-Mantle (Alchemilla Alpinia) — It features softly lobed, gray-green leaves with silvery undersides that create a striking ground cover; this plant

Ground cover

Alpine Lady'S-Mantle

Alchemilla Alpinia

HalfUSDA 4–7
Amanogawa Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus Serrulata 'Amanogawa') — which provide a powerful visual impact

Tree

Amanogawa Japanese Flowering Cherry

Prunus Serrulata 'Amanogawa'

FullUSDA 6–9