Chaparral Mallow
Malacothamnus fasciculatus
Color: Rose pink
Common name: Chaparral Mallow, Mendocino Bushmallow
Latin name: Malacothamnus fasciculatus
Family: MALVACEAE
Height: 40 inches to 16.5 feet
Description: Malacothamnus fasciculatus is a shrub with a slender, multibranched stem. It is coated thinly to densely in white or brownish hairs. The inflorescence is an elongated cluster of many pale pink flowers with petals under a centimeter long.
Leaf: The leaves are oval or rounded in shape, 2-11 cm long, and sometimes divided into lobes.
Range: sw edge Mojave Desert, Inner North Coast Ranges (Mendocino Co.), interior San Francisco Bay Area, Outer South Coast Ranges, Southwestern California
Habitat: Coastal-sage scrub, chaparral
Elevation: generally < 600 m (< 2450 in Peninsular Ranges and Santa Rosa Mtns).
Flowering time: Apr–Jul
Notes: It is a highly variable plant which is sometimes described as a spectrum of varieties, and which is sometimes hard to differentiate from other Malacothamnus species. Malacothamnus fasciculatus, is a dicot that is native to California and is found only slightly beyond California borders. Distribution outside California: n Baja California
We have an online wildflower field guide that is designed to help you identify desert wildflowers by color, scientific name, region and common name. The pictures are sized to work on the iPod, iPhone, iPad and similar devices. With your iPod or phone you will easily be able to identify wildflowers while in the desert. Links for downloads are on the bottom of the Wildflower Field Guide page.
Photo tips: Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a macro function - usually symbolized by the icon of a little flower. When you turn on that function, you allow your camera to get closer to the subject, looking into a flower for example. Or getting up close and personal with a bug. More on desert photography.
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What's Blooming Now - Check the Wildflower Reports
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