Malacothamnus aboriginum
Indian valley bushmallow, Indian Valley Bush-Mallow
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Malacothamnus aboriginum (Indian valley bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by calyx lobe shape and width pattern.
Indian valley bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in central Sierra Nevada Foothills, San Joaquin Valley, southern San Francisco Bay Area, and South Coast Ranges in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation at elevations of 135 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pale flowers in dense, interrupted clusters with spikes of interrupted dense inflorescences. Growing to 2.5 meters tall with densely stellate-hairy stems that are occasionally spreading by rhizomes, the shrub has a distinctive hairy appearance. Its leaves are rounded to widely ovate, generally 3 to 7-lobed with cordate bases, displaying ashy to bright green surfaces covered in delicate stellate hairs. The shrub's flowers emerge with petals up to 2.5 centimeters long, creating a soft, textured appearance in its native habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; key feature is calyx lobe shape and width pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 135-1200 m
California counties: San Benito, Fresno, San Diego, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Kings
Bloom period
Malacothamnus aboriginum blooms (Mar)May-Jun(Jul).
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 aboriginum native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus aboriginum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus aboriginum bloom?
Malacothamnus aboriginum blooms (Mar)May-Jun(Jul).
Where in California does Malacothamnus aboriginum grow?
Malacothamnus aboriginum occurs in San Benito, Fresno, San Diego, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Kings, at elevations of 135-1200 m.
What plant family does Malacothamnus aboriginum belong to?
Malacothamnus aboriginum is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus aboriginum rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus aboriginum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Malacothamnus davidsonii — Tujunga 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.