Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi
Parry's mallow, Parry's Mallow
Photo: parent species Eremalche parryi · (c) Zack Abbey, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi (Parry's mallow) is a native California herb in the Malvaceae family, recognized by differentiated by erect habit, large purple flowers, and habitat.
Parry's mallow is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada foothills, Tehachapi, San Joaquin Valley, eastern San Francisco Bay, south coastal ranges, and western Transverse Ranges in grassland, scrub, and foothill woodland habitats at elevations of 30 to 400 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces purple-tinted flowers 15 to 25 millimeters long with distinctive calyx lobes 8 to 11 millimeters in length. Growing with delicate branching stems, it forms a low, spreading plant typically 20 to 40 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves are variable, with soft, somewhat rounded surfaces that support the plant's subtle architectural structure. The fruit develops into distinctive segments approximately 14 to 22 millimeters long, contributing to the plant's distinctive reproductive strategy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; differentiated by erect habit, large purple flowers, and habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, scrub, foothill woodland
Elevation: 30-400 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern, Monterey, Alameda, Kings, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Calaveras, Merced, Tulare
Bloom period
Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Alyogyne: Eremalche is a small prostrate annual; Alyogyne is a large upright shrub with much larger flowers.; vs Malva: Eremalche is native with sparse hairs in deserts; Malva is a weedy introduced plant in disturbed areas.; vs Sidalcea: Eremalche is prostrate with symmetric leaves; Sidalcea is upright with palmately lobed leaves.; vs Sphaeralcea: Eremalche is a small green annual; Sphaeralcea is a larger perennial with gray hairs and orange flowers.; vs Chylismia: Eremalche has mallow flowers with fused stamens; Chylismia has 4-petaled evening primrose flowers with 8 stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi native to California?
Yes. Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi bloom?
Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi grow?
Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi occurs in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern, Monterey, Alameda, Kings, San Luis Obispo, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 30-400 m.
What plant family does Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi belong to?
Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi is in the Malvaceae family, genus Eremalche.
What habitat does Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi grow in?
Eremalche parryi subsp. parryi grows in Grassland, scrub, foothill woodland.
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.