| Fremontodendron mexicanum | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Fremontodendron |
| Species: | F. mexicanum |
| Binomial name | |
| Fremontodendron mexicanum Davidson |
|
Fremontodendron mexicanum is a rare species of shrub in the mallow family known by the common name Mexican flannelbush. It is known from about ten occurrences in northern Baja California and adjacent San Diego County, California, but it has most recently been confirmed to exist in only two of those locales today.[1][2] In 1993, fewer than 100 individuals were thought to exist.[1] In the United States it is a federally listed endangered species. The shrub grows in chaparral and coniferous forests among Tecate cypress trees, generally on alluvial plains.[3] It is grown as an attractive ornamental plant in gardens and has occasionally been seen growing in the wild as a garden escapee.
This is an erect, treelike flowering shrub reaching several meters in height with spreading branches. The leathery, furry leaves are up to 5 centimeters long and divided into several wide lobes. The solitary flowers, each about 6 centimeters wide, appear spread along the branches. The showy flowers are made up of five bright orange sepals and have no true petals.