Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany is a smaller relative of the Curl-leaf Mountain mahogany, growing 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. It is fine textured, with small dark green leaves and gray brown bark. Fall color is tan to brown. Growth is upright and irregular. Fuzzy corkscrew shaped fruits develop in fall and winter.
A Utah native, found in shrub steppe, mountain brush, and pinyon-juniper plant communities. Adaptive to many soil types, as long as it is well drained. Medium to high drought tolerance. Water regularly to establish, and then infrequently. In prolonged droughts it may drop its foliage, but can fully recover when moisture returns. Plant in full sun.