Fremontodendron mexicanum (Mexican Flannelbush)
Credit: Anna Leavitt
about the species
Fremontodendron mexicanum Davidson, “Mexican flannelbush,” (Malvaceae) is a state (rare) and federally (endangered) listed shrub species with California Rare Plant Rank rank of 1B.1. It is found only in southern California and Baja California, Mexico, with only one confirmed natural occurrence in each area, the former in San Diego County.
why species was selected
Fremontodendron, one of which (F. californicum) is widespread and highly variable, the other two of which (F. decumbens and F. mexicanum) are restricted in distribution and considered rare and endangered. Comparative genomic analyses of the three species of will help to elucidate the taxonomic identities of several populations that may represent hybrids between F. californicum and F. decumbens. Genomic data for this species will also help to understand how genomic variation in these plants is related to morphological variation, taxonomic identity, and status as rare.
