Eremalche parryi subsp. kernensis

Kern mallow, Kern Mallow

Family: Malvaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered

Kern mallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern San Joaquin Valley and southern Coast Ranges in Kern and San Luis Obispo counties, growing on eroded hillsides and alkali flats at elevations of 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white to pale purple petals 8 to 25 millimeters long with delicate, distinctive blossoms. Growing as a low-spreading plant with multiple stems, it develops compact growth patterns typical of harsh desert and alkali environments. Its leaves are relatively small and adapted to arid conditions, likely featuring lobed or divided shapes to minimize water loss. The fruit develops with 9 to 19 distinctive segment clusters, reflecting the plant's resilience in challenging landscapes.

Habitat: Eroded hillsides, alkali flats

Bloom period: Mar-May

Elevation: 100-1000 m

Bioregions: s SnJV, s SCoRI (Kern, San Luis Obispo cos.).

California counties: Santa Barbara, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, San Joaquin, Tulare, San Diego, Kings

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.