Quick answer: Alderleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) is native to 15 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-2.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Dry |
| Soil | Well-drained soils |
| Bloom | Apr-May |
| Height | 8-20 ft |
| Wildlife value | Preferred deer browse, also browsed by cattle/sheep |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 15 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 15 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Alderleaf mountain mahogany
Where is Alderleaf mountain mahogany native?
Alderleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) is native to 15 states across the Midwest, South and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Alderleaf mountain mahogany bloom?
Alderleaf mountain mahogany blooms Apr-May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Alderleaf mountain mahogany need?
Light: Sun. Water: Dry. Soil: Well-drained soils. Mature height: 8-20 ft.
Is Alderleaf mountain mahogany good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Preferred deer browse, also browsed by cattle/sheep.
Is Alderleaf mountain mahogany deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Alderleaf mountain mahogany is drought-tolerant.
Where can I buy Alderleaf mountain mahogany?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 15 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Cercocarpus montanus by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Alderleaf mountain mahogany.
- Lewis flax (blue flax) Linum lewisii
- Rubber rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa
- Showy milkweed Asclepias speciosa
- Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides
- Scarlet globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea
- Common sunflower Helianthus annuus
Also listed under
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