Lavatera olbia
Tree lavatera
(c) Aissa Djamel Filali, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Lavatera olbia (Tree lavatera) is a non-native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by . Key features: woody base, 17-19 fruit segments, taller stature.
Tree lavatera is a naturalized perennial found in southern California coastal areas including Laguna Canyon and Orange County in disturbed places at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pale pink to lavender flowers with delicate petals 2 to 3 centimeters long. Growing with erect woody stems 1 to 2 meters tall that are initially tomentose and become increasingly hairy or nearly smooth with age, it develops a robust and somewhat shrubby structure. Its leaves are densely covered with star-shaped hairs, with lower leaves featuring 3 to 5 lobes and upper leaves becoming more elongated and lance-shaped, often with slight 3-lobed formations. The fruit is composed of 17 to 19 segments that are lightly covered with fine hairs or occasionally smooth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key features: woody base, 17-19 fruit segments, taller stature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places
Elevation: < 400 m
Outside California: native southwestern Europe, Mediterranean, widely cultivated
Bloom period
Lavatera olbia blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Sidalcea: Lavatera has 3 bracts fused halfway below flower; Sidalcea has no bract ring below flower.; vs Alcea: Lavatera has 3 bracts fused halfway; Alcea has 5-11 bracts and much larger flowers (>6 cm).; vs Malva: Lavatera has bracts fused halfway and seeds separate easily; Malva has free bracts and seeds firmly enclosed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lavatera olbia native to California?
No. Lavatera olbia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lavatera olbia bloom?
Lavatera olbia blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Lavatera olbia belong to?
Lavatera olbia is in the Malvaceae family, genus Lavatera.
What habitat does Lavatera olbia grow in?
Lavatera olbia grows in Disturbed places.
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.