Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Celastraceae

Genus:

Mortonia

Species:

Mortonia utahensis

USDA Symbol:

MOUT

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

150 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

white

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from root crown following fire in desert scrub communities.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rocky, well-drained, calcareous soil

pH:

7.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to very dry

Notes:

adapted to arid desert conditions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI