Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus
Western bewildering bushmallow, arcuate bushmallow
Photo: parent species Malacothamnus arcuatus · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus (Western bewildering bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated. Key features: small flowers with short petals.
Western bewildering bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation and edges of openings at elevations of 5 to 1,150 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pink to white flowers in interrupted spikes with distinctive stellate hairs. Growing up to 2 meters tall with occasional rhizomatous spread, the shrub features branches with fine, mostly unstalked stellate hairs less than 1.3 millimeters long. Its leaves are predominantly round to widely ovate with wedge-shaped or heart-shaped bases, covered in dense stellate hairs that are more abundant on the leaf undersides. The shrub's delicate flower clusters are subtended by narrow triangular bracts, creating an intricate and textured appearance in recovering wildland environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated. Key features: small flowers with short petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 5-1150 m
Bloom period
Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus blooms (Apr)May(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 arcuatus var. arcuatus native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus bloom?
Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus blooms (Apr)May(Jul).
What plant family does Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus belong to?
Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus grow in?
Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus grows in Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Malacothamnus arcuatus var. elmeri — Eastern bewildering bushmallow
- Malacothamnus astrotentaculatus — Starry-tentacled bushmallow
- Malacothamnus clementinus — San clemente island bushmallow
- Malacothamnus davidsonii — Tujunga bushmallow
- Malacothamnus densiflorus — Many-flowered bush mallow
- Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus — Few-rayed 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.