Anoda pentaschista
Field anoda
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Family: Malvaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Anoda pentaschista (Field anoda) is a non-native California herb in the Malvaceae family, recognized by . Key features: Imperial County only, leathery leaves, dense white stellate hairs, paniculate inflorescence.
Field anoda is a naturalized perennial found in the Imperial County region of the southern desert at elevations below 600 meters, typically occurring in or near disturbed agricultural lands. Flowering from August to November, this plant produces pale flowers approximately 10 millimeters wide with distinctive stellate hairs. Growing with erect stems 50 to 200 centimeters tall, it develops a branching habit with leathery leaves that vary from ovate in the lower portions to narrowly oblong or linear in upper sections. Its leaves are notable for dense white stellate hairs on the underside and sparser green hairs on the upper surface, with occasional slight lobing or serration. The plant produces a puberulent fruit with five to eight styles, typical of its agricultural weed characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key features: Imperial County only, leathery leaves, dense white stellate hairs, paniculate inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Very uncommon. In or near disturbed or agricultural land
Elevation: < 600 m
Outside California: southwestern United States, eastern to Texas, widespread in Mexico
Bloom period
Anoda pentaschista blooms Aug-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Malva: Anoda has no bracts below flowers; Malva has 3 small bracts forming a ring below each flower.; vs Sidalcea: Anoda has arrow-shaped or deeply lobed leaves; Sidalcea has palmately lobed leaves with rounded divisions.; vs Malacothamnus: Anoda is an annual weed in disturbed areas; Malacothamnus is a woody chaparral shrub.; vs Malvella: Anoda lacks bracts at flower base and is upright; Malvella has subtle bracts and is prostrate.; vs Eremalche: Anoda completely lacks bracts below flowers; Eremalche has small bracts present.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anoda pentaschista native to California?
No. Anoda pentaschista is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Anoda pentaschista bloom?
Anoda pentaschista blooms Aug-Nov.
What plant family does Anoda pentaschista belong to?
Anoda pentaschista is in the Malvaceae family, genus Anoda.
What habitat does Anoda pentaschista grow in?
Anoda pentaschista grows in Very uncommon. In or near disturbed or agricultural land.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.