Malacothamnus abbottii
Abbott's bushmallow
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Malacothamnus abbottii (Abbott's bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by very short stellate hairs and closed corollas.
Abbott's bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in south-central coastal ranges of Monterey County in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation at elevations of 135 to 485 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces pink to pale rose-colored flowers that are densely stellate-hairy, creating a soft, almost fuzzy appearance. Growing as a spreading shrub up to 2 meters tall with rhizomatous growth, it features densely hairy stems where the surface is completely obscured by stellate hairs. Its leaves are roughly round or ovate, with blades that are pale ashy- to light-green, sometimes slightly lobed with rounded edges and wedge-shaped to heart-shaped bases. The plant's dense stellate hairs cover both leaf surfaces, with the underside having a hair density two times greater than the top surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinguished by very short stellate hairs and closed corollas
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 135-485 m
California counties: Monterey
Bloom period
Malacothamnus abbottii blooms (May)Jul-Aug(Oct).
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Sphaeralcea: Malacothamnus has flowers clustered in leaf axils; Sphaeralcea has flowers in an elongated spike-like arrangement.; vs Sidalcea: Malacothamnus is a woody shrub in chaparral; Sidalcea is herbaceous in meadows and moist areas.; vs Malva: Malacothamnus is a native chaparral shrub with axillary clusters; Malva is a weedy herb with flowers along stems.; vs Ribes: Malacothamnus has mallow flowers with fused stamens; Ribes has tubular flowers and produces berries.; vs Brickellia: Malacothamnus has 5-petaled mallow flowers; Brickellia has fuzzy composite flower heads without petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malacothamnus abbottii native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus abbottii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus abbottii bloom?
Malacothamnus abbottii blooms (May)Jul-Aug(Oct).
Where in California does Malacothamnus abbottii grow?
Malacothamnus abbottii occurs in Monterey, at elevations of 135-485 m.
What plant family does Malacothamnus abbottii belong to?
Malacothamnus abbottii is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus abbottii rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus abbottii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Malacothamnus aboriginum — Indian valley bushmallow
- Malacothamnus arcuatus — Bewildering bushmallow
- Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus — Western bewildering bushmallow
- Malacothamnus arcuatus var. elmeri — Eastern bewildering bushmallow
- Malacothamnus astrotentaculatus — Starry-tentacled bushmallow
- Malacothamnus clementinus — San clemente island bushmallow
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.