Fremontodendron decumbens
Pine hill flannelbush, Pine Hill Flannelbush
(c) Ryan Elliott, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
Fremontodendron decumbens (Pine hill flannelbush) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by decumbent habit and specialized gabbro habitat.
Pine hill flannelbush is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the northern Sierra Nevada Foothills in Pine Hill, western El Dorado County, growing on gabbro outcrops in chaparral and pine woodland at elevations of 425 to 760 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces large orange to coppery-red flowers 30 to 50 millimeters wide with silky hair margins. Growing as a low, spreading shrub less than 1 meter tall but much wider than its height, it has a distinctive decumbent form with multiple branching stems. Its leaves are palmate-lobed, 1.5 to 5.2 centimeters long, with a shallowly to deeply heart-shaped base and soft to leathery texture. The fruit remains closed unless triggered by fire, with dull brown seeds covered in stellate hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by decumbent habit and specialized gabbro habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gabbro outcrops in chaparral/pine woodland
Elevation: 425-760 m
California counties: El Dorado, Butte, Yuba, Nevada
Bloom period
Fremontodendron decumbens blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
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 decumbens native to California?
Yes. Fremontodendron decumbens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fremontodendron decumbens bloom?
Fremontodendron decumbens blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Fremontodendron decumbens grow?
Fremontodendron decumbens occurs in El Dorado, Butte, Yuba, Nevada, at elevations of 425-760 m.
What plant family does Fremontodendron decumbens belong to?
Fremontodendron decumbens is in the Malvaceae family, genus Fremontodendron.
Is Fremontodendron decumbens rare or endangered?
Fremontodendron decumbens carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.