This is a man made hybrid between the Mexican hand tree and a California native.
Chiranthodendron pentadactylon x Fremontodendron 'Pacific Sunset'. Sometimes called x Chiranthofremontia lenzii and I recall a citation that the whole group might be one species. There is not a lot of information on these trees and I think I have only seen 3-4 of them in person. I think the more common name is the Hybrid Monkey Hand Tree.
Evergreen tree growing 30+ feet tall upright branching, sort of pyramidal to columnar with stiff branches. Lower branches flattening out, which is nice because the flowers sit on the tops of the stems.
Foliage is attractive, resembling its parents, alternately arranged, simple, 4-5" long and wide, palmately lobed with 3-5 lobes, dark green glossy leathery upper surface and a whitish bronze below due to all the hairs on the surface.
Stems are also covered with hairs, at least when young. The oldest specimen I have seen shows smooth bark.
Flowers are really pretty cool looking. Borne on the upper surface of the stems, they are a yellowish orange color on the outside and more orange inside. The monkey paw part of the flower is the 5 stamens and are golden colored rather than red like one of its parents. You can see the stigma pointing to 11 o'clock.
Flowers with the stamens still closed.
Flower bud.
Flowers are often found along the tops of the branches.
Misidentification:
Likely to think its a Fremontidendron but the flowers these flowers have red/orange inside and not yellow like our native tree.
Chiranthodendron pentadactylon has red stamens.
Location:
Corralitos
2957 Freedom Blvd
Santa Cruz
Arboretum, past the small nursery growing area.
