Fremontodendron californicum
California flannelbush
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Fremontodendron californicum (California flannelbush) is a native California shrub / tree in the Malvaceae family, recognized by erect habit, yellow flowers, and ground-level branching.
California flannelbush is a native shrub found in the northern Coast Ranges, northern inner Coast Ranges, southern Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in chaparral and oak/pine woodland at elevations of 180 to 2,320 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces large, bright yellow flowers 3.5 to 6 centimeters wide with distinctive silky-hairy sepals that may have a reddish base. Growing as an upright shrub 2 to 5 meters tall, typically broader at the base with branches emerging near the ground, it has a distinctive sculptural form. Its leaves are palmately lobed, 1 to 7 centimeters long, with a leathery texture and truncate to slightly heart-shaped base, creating a rough, distinctive foliage pattern. The seeds are dull brown to black, covered in stellate (star-shaped) pubescence, with an aril-like structure that adds to the plant's unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by erect habit, yellow flowers, and ground-level branching
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, oak/pine woodland
Elevation: 180-2320 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, Napa, San Luis Obispo, Yolo, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Tehama, Ventura, Fresno, Orange, Lake, Riverside, El Dorado, Mariposa, Marin, Alameda, Butte, Nevada, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Madera, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Yuba, Shasta, Contra Costa, Calaveras, Solano, Lassen, Trinity, Sacramento
Outside California: southwestern Oregon, Arizona, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Fremontodendron californicum blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs × Chiranthomontodendron: Fremontodendron has pure yellow-orange flowers; the hybrid has darker red-brown markings.; vs Hibiscus: Fremontodendron lacks petals (yellow parts are sepals); Hibiscus has distinct petals and a central stamen column.; vs Quercus: Fremontodendron has flannel-fuzzy leaves and yellow flowers; oaks have smooth leaves and produce acorns.; vs Ribes: Fremontodendron flowers are solitary and yellow; Ribes flowers are in clusters and lack the flannel texture.; vs Phylica: Fremontodendron has large yellow flowers over 25mm; Phylica has tiny clustered flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fremontodendron californicum native to California?
Yes. Fremontodendron californicum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fremontodendron californicum bloom?
Fremontodendron californicum blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Fremontodendron californicum grow?
Fremontodendron californicum occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, Napa, San Luis Obispo, Yolo, Los Angeles, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of 180-2320 m.
What plant family does Fremontodendron californicum belong to?
Fremontodendron californicum is in the Malvaceae family, genus Fremontodendron.
What habitat does Fremontodendron californicum grow in?
Fremontodendron californicum grows in Chaparral, oak/pine woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.