Curl-leaf mountain mahoghany is a Utah native, useful as a large shrub or pruned as a small tree. It is one of the few native broad-leafed evergreens. It grows with a multi-stemmed, bushy, upright habit to about 8 to 12 feet tall and wide, though with supplemental watering it may grow taller. Flowers are small and reddish, blooming June to August. They are followed by an interesting curling, hairy, wiry plume. that is luminescent when back-lit. Bark is reddish brown and furrowed. Useful in a shrub or foundation border, or as part of a screen.
Grow in full sun in well drained soil; Is not too particular as to soil type as long as it is well draining, including sandy- loam, clay-loam, and rocky soils. Tolerates slightly alkaline soils. Once established, requires infrequent irrigation, though regular (monthly) irrigation will result in slightly more rapid growth rate. Does not respond well to shearing, and so prune selectively, if necessary to control size or form (see Guides). It is a good nibble for deer, which can be either a good or bad thing.