Fremontodendron mexicanum
Mexican flannelbush
(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Fremontodendron mexicanum (Mexican flannelbush) is a native California shrub / tree in the Malvaceae family, recognized by unbranched habit, orange flowers, and thick-leathery leaves.
Mexican flannelbush is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in the Peninsular Ranges (excluding San Jacinto Mountains) in chaparral at elevations of 10 to 716 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces large, bright orange to orange-red flowers up to 84 millimeters wide with distinctive red coloration near the flower bases. Growing erect with an upright habit reaching 1.5 to 7 meters tall, the shrub develops an unbranched form near the ground. Its leaves are thick-leathery with palmately lobed blades 2.5 to 8 centimeters long, featuring a deeply heart-shaped base and petioles 0.8 to 4.5 centimeters long. The plant produces glossy black seeds with an aril-like structure, giving it a distinctive appearance in its native chaparral habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by unbranched habit, orange flowers, and thick-leathery leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: 10-716 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Fremontodendron mexicanum blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · 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 mexicanum native to California?
Yes. Fremontodendron mexicanum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Fremontodendron mexicanum bloom?
Fremontodendron mexicanum blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Fremontodendron mexicanum belong to?
Fremontodendron mexicanum is in the Malvaceae family, genus Fremontodendron.
Is Fremontodendron mexicanum rare or endangered?
Fremontodendron mexicanum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Fremontodendron mexicanum grow in?
Fremontodendron mexicanum grows in Chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.