Fremontodendron

Taxobox
name = Flannelbush

---

image_caption = "Fremontodendron" 'Ken Taylor'
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Malvales
familia = Malvaceae
genus = "Fremontodendron"
genus_authority = Coville
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Fremontodendron californicum"
"Fremontodendron mexicanum"
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The flannelbush or flannel bush ("Fremontodendron", syn. "Fremontia") is a genus of two species of shrubs from the southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. They are treated within the Sterculiaceae by the most of the authors, in the tribe Fremontodendreae together with the genus "Chiranthodendron", but also included in the family Malvaceae ("fide" APG).

The leaves have a leathery and fuzzy texture reminiscent of flannel (thus the name), and the yellow and orange flowers are large and showy. The hairs of the leaves and young shoots can cause skin irritation. The genus is named after John C. Frémont.

There are two species: the California Flannelbush "F. californicum", and the Mexican Flannelbush "F. mexicanum", and a number of populations of uncertain status. In addition, a number of hybrid cultivars have been produced, including 'California Glory', 'Ken Taylor', and 'Pacific Sunset'.

The Pine Hill Flannelbush "F. californicum" ssp. "decumbens" is a rare variety known only from the Pine Hill Preserve in El Dorado County, California, though populations in Nevada County and Yuba County are very similar and best treated in this subspecies. The Napa Flannelbush "F. californicum" ssp. "napense" occurs in Napa and adjacent counties, and Thickleaf California Flannelbush "F. californicum" subsp. "crassifolia" occurs in Santa Cruz County.

External links

* [http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Fremontodendreae/Fremontodendreae.php The Fremontodendreae Pages ("Fremontodendron" and "Chiranthodendron")]
* [http://www.pinehillpreserve.org/rare_plants/species/Pine_Hill_flannelbush.htm Page on Pine Hill Flannelbush]
* [http://www.floralore.com/habitats/pinehill/pinehill.html Pine Hill endemics]