Hibiscus denudatus
Pale face
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Hibiscus denudatus (Pale face) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family.
Pale face is a native shrub found in the southern desert regions in desert scrub of mesas, canyons, and creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces white or lavender flowers with a purple base, 2 to 2.7 centimeters long, emerging singly in leaf axils. Growing 0.5 to 1 meter tall with generally tangled branches, it has a distinctively dense stellate-hairy appearance. Its ovate leaves are 1 to 3 centimeters long, finely toothed, and covered in stellate hairs, particularly dense on the undersides. The fruit is spherical, 7 to 8 millimeters long, spreading wide open at maturity and carrying small reniform seeds densely covered in silky hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated in Sonoran Desert
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub of mesas, canyons, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial
Outside California: to Nevada, western Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Hibiscus denudatus blooms Feb-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Malva: Hibiscus has 5-12 bracts and 5-branched style; Malva has 3 bracts and numerous style branches (as many as fruit segments).; vs Rosa: Hibiscus has a central column of fused stamens and 5-branched style; Rosa has separate stamens radiating from center.; vs Rhododendron: Hibiscus has fused stamens forming a central tube; Rhododendron has 5-10 separate stamens and woody stems.; vs Alyogyne: Hibiscus has bracts separate to base; Alyogyne bracts are fused into a cup around the flower base.; vs Pandorea: Hibiscus has a column of fused stamens; Pandorea is a woody vine with tubular flowers and paired opposite leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hibiscus denudatus native to California?
Yes. Hibiscus denudatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hibiscus denudatus bloom?
Hibiscus denudatus blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Hibiscus denudatus grow?
Hibiscus denudatus occurs in Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Hibiscus denudatus belong to?
Hibiscus denudatus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Hibiscus.
What habitat does Hibiscus denudatus grow in?
Hibiscus denudatus grows in Desert scrub of mesas, canyons, creosote-bush scrub.
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.