Shrubs or trees to 100 dm. Leaves stipulate (stipules caducous); blade usually palmately lobed, base cuneate to rounded or cordate, surfaces hairy, hairs mostly stellate, (1–)3–7-veined from base. Inflorescences flowers solitary, (usually supra-axillary). Flowers: epicalyx caducous; sepals coppery, orange, or yellow, sometimes with red, weakly imbricate or valvate, adaxially glandular or pitted near base, apex often apiculate to attenuate; filament bases connate to 1/2 their lengths; ovary sessile, carpels (4–)5, connate; styles 1; stigmas 1. Capsules 4–5-locular, usually densely hairy abaxially. Seeds 2–3 per locule, often carunculate.

Distribution

sw United States, nw Mexico.

Discussion

Species 3 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

Kelman, W. M. 1991. A revision of Fremontodendron (Sterculiaceae). Syst. Bot. 16: 3–20.

Kelman, W. M. et al. 2006. Genetic relationships among Fremontodendron (Sterculiaceae) populations of the central Sierra Nevada foothills of California. Madroño 53: 380–387.

Lower Taxa

Fremontodendron californicum, Fremontodendron decumbens, Fremontodendron mexicanum

Key

1	Plants decumbent, to 10+ dm; pedicels 10–27 mm; sepals usually coppery to orange, rarely yellow.	Fremontodendron decumbens
1	Plants erect, mostly 15–100 dm; pedicels 4–18 mm; sepals usually orange to yellow	> 2
2	Leaf blade bases cuneate to rounded or weakly cordate; sepals usually yellow, lobes sometimes red at bases and margins, gland/pit borders usually setose; seeds usually carunculate, hairy.	Fremontodendron californicum
2	Leaf blade bases notably cordate; sepals usually orange, lobes sometimes reddish at bases and along veins, gland/pit borders rarely setose; seeds rarely carunculate, usually glabrous.	Fremontodendron mexicanum