Common Name: Flannel Flower

General Information

Fremontodendron californicum is an erect to decumbent, evergreen shrub or small tree with a broad, open crown and a short trunk; it usually grows 1 - 4 metres tall but occasionally reaches 9 metres with a trunk up to 35cm in diameter[].
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..
Fremontodendron californicum has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

The stem is clothed with brown hairs which rub off easily and can be a severe irritant[]. When pruning it is best to wear a mask[]. The eyes can be badly affected[].

Botanical References

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Range

South-western N. America - California, Baja California

Habitat

Dry, mostly granitic slopes; at elevations from 900 - 1,800 metres[]. It thrives on poor dry rocky soils of the foothills, where it often forms dense thickets[]. Grows on a wide variety of soil types as well as both shallow and deep soils[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Fremontodendron californicum is a plant of the warm temperate or mediterranean zone, growing in semi-arid regions. The species is not very cold-hardy, tolerating occasional drops in temperatre to around -10°c, though plants more than 150cm tall have been known to tolerate -15°c for short periods[, , ].
Requires a light well-drained poorish soil[] in full sun in a position sheltered from cold drying winds[]. Tolerates light shade[]. Prefers a hot dry situation according to one report[] whilst another says that it does best against a north, west or east wall, a southern exposure usually being too hot and dry[]. Tolerates very chalky soils[, ]. Plants produce lush growth when growing in rich soils at the expense of flowering[].
Plants are relatively fast growing[], usually commencing flowering in their second year of growth[].
Resents root disturbance and should be planted into its final position when quite young[, ]. Plants do not seem to be long lived in cultivation[], about 20 years being considered old age[]. They are subject to sudden collapse and death, even if they have been growing and flowering well[]. This is probably the result of excessive wet or of the plant failing to fully ripen its wood. The stems die back if the bark is cracked by frost or abrasion[].
Plants can be pruned in mid to late summer, this will generate new growth and more flowers[].
Plants produce a lignotuber and usually resprout vigorously if cut back severely[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A tea made from the bark is used to treat throat irritations[].
The inner bark is mucilaginous and is used as a poultice on wounds[, , ].

One report says that the bark has similar properties to Ulmus rubra (Slippery Elm Bark)[]. These properties are as follows:-

Slippery elm bark is a widely used herbal remedy and is considered to be one of the most valuable of remedies in herbal practice[]. In particular, it is a gentle and effective remedy for irritated states of the mucous membranes of the chest, urinary tubules, stomach and intestines[]. The inner bark contains large quantities of a sticky slime that can be dried to a powder or made into a liquid[]. The inner bark is harvested in the spring from the main trunk and from larger branches, it is then dried and powdered for use as required[]. Ten year old bark is said to be best[]. Fine grades of the powder are best for internal use, coarse grades are better suited to poultices[]. The plant is also part of a North American formula called essiac which is a popular treatment for cancer. Its effectiveness has never been reliably proven or disproven since controlled studies have not been carried out. The other herbs included in the formula are Arctium lappa, Rumex acetosella and Rheum palmatum[].
The inner bark is demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, nutritive[, , , ]. It has a soothing and healing effect on all parts of the body that it comes into contact with[] and is used in the treatment of sore throats, indigestion, digestive irritation, stomach ulcers etc[]. It used to be frequently used as a food that was a nutritive tonic for the old, young and convalescents[]. It was also applied externally to fresh wounds, burns and scalds[].
The bark has been used as an antioxidant to prevent fats going rancid[].
The whole bark, including the outer bark, has been used as a mechanical irritant to abort foetuses[]. Its use became so widespread that it is now banned in several countries[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is recommended for use in erosion control projects at elevations ranging from 150 - 1,800 metres in California. It has also been planted on banks and levees of flood control channels[].

Other Uses

The bark can be made into cordage then used in making nets etc[]. The bark is cut at one end of the branches and peeled off in long strips. These are washed and rubbed between the hands. Three strands are rolled together on the upper thigh to make cordage a type of string or rope that was made into a pack strap and various other items[].

The fine-grained wood is heavy and ranges from hard to soft[, , ]. It is not used commercially due to the small size of the tree[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 48 hours in warm water and then sow singly in pots in a cold frame in late winter. Variable germination[]. Germination levels are often less than 10%[]. Grow the young plants on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in sandy soil in a frame[].
Cuttings of greenwood in spring in a frame[].