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Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Fremontodendron mexicanum

Fremontodendron mexicanum Davidson

Mexican Flannelbush, Southern Flannelbush, Southern Fremontia, Mexican Fremontia

Sterculiaceae (Cacao Family)

Synonym(s): Fremontia mexicana

USDA Symbol: frme2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A tall, sturdy shrub, usually 6-15 ft. high and up to 10 ft. wide, with fuzzy, gray-green foliage. The yellow flowers fade orange over a long bloom period. Since they occur among the leaves, they do not make showy masses.

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 20 feet tall, often much shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: San Diego Co. & adjacent Baja
Native Habitat: Dry canyons around 1500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained, rocky soil.
Conditions Comments: Must have excellent drainage as roots are prone to rot. Very fast growing. Not for deer areas.

Propagation

Description: Propagation by seed is possible.
Seed Collection: Collect when the capsules begin to split.
Seed Treatment: Seeds require scarification in hot water followed by cold-moist stratification at 35 degrees for 12-16 weeks to obtain germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Threatened & Endangered Status

USFWS Species Profile: Q2OZ
Status: Endangered
Historic Range: U.S.A. (CA), Mexico
Critical Habitat: 17.96(a)
Special Rules: N/A
This information is derived from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serrvice Environmental Conservation Online System.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Fremontodendron mexicanum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Fremontodendron mexicanum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Fremontodendron mexicanum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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