Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla
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Family: Convolvulaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla is a native California vine in the Convolvulaceae family, recognized by elevation, brown hairs, larger leaves, shorter peduncles.
Calystegia malacophylla is a California native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada in dry chaparral slopes at elevations of 1,000 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate white or pale flowers in distinctive large, widely triangular leaves. Growing with soft brown or golden-brown hairs, it develops stems with leaves 3 to 6 centimeters long and 4 to 9 centimeters wide. Its leaves are uniquely shaped with widely triangular to nearly kidney-like form, featuring lobes that are generally two-tipped with acute or slightly notched tips. The plant's peduncles extend 3 to 5 centimeters, shorter than the subtending leaves.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are elevation, brown hairs, larger leaves, shorter peduncles
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, chaparral
Elevation: generally 1000-2400 m
California counties: Mariposa, Fresno, Kern, El Dorado, Tulare, Sierra, Plumas, Placer, Amador, Los Angeles, Nevada, Calaveras, Lake, Madera, Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Mendocino, Tuolumne, Alameda, Ventura
Bloom period
Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Convolvulus: Convolvulus has smaller flowers with sharply pointed stigma lobes; Calystegia stigma lobes are blunt.; vs Ipomoea: Ipomoea stigma is a single rounded knob; Calystegia stigma has two distinct flattened lobes.; vs Datura: Datura flowers are upright with pleated edges; Calystegia flowers are smooth funnels.; vs Abronia: Abronia has clusters of small tubular flowers; Calystegia has single large funnel flowers.; vs Oenothera: Oenothera has four separate petals; Calystegia petals are fused into continuous funnel.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla native to California?
Yes. Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla bloom?
Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla grow?
Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla occurs in Mariposa, Fresno, Kern, El Dorado, Tulare, Sierra, Plumas, Placer and other counties, at elevations of generally 1000-2400 m.
What plant family does Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla belong to?
Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla is in the Convolvulaceae family, genus Calystegia.
What habitat does Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla grow in?
Calystegia malacophylla subsp. malacophylla grows in dry slopes, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.