While the birch leaf mountain mahogany tree is not a true birch (nor a true mahogany), this member of the rose family, Rosaceae, derives its name from it distinctive leaves, which are smooth at the base and then wavy or toothed to the tip, like birch leaves. Cercocarpus betuloides is a small shrub or tree native to the western United States and has small white clustered flowers. Its reddish wood is very hard, and was used by native cultures to make arrow tips and fishing spears. Today, its drought tolerance makes it a perfect fit for desert landscaping.
