Malacothamnus clementinus
San clemente island bushmallow, San Clemente Island Bush-Mallow
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Delisted
Malacothamnus clementinus (San clemente island bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by on Channel Islands; key feature is extremely narrow bractlets.
San clemente island bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found on San Clemente Island in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation at elevations of 5 to 385 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces pale flowers with petals up to 2 centimeters long. Growing as a low-spreading shrub less than 1 meter tall, it spreads by rhizomes and is densely covered in stellate hairs that can be seen without magnification. Its leaves are roughly round to widely ovate, with 3 to 5 subtle to moderate lobes, appearing ashy to bright green on the surface and much paler underneath. The plant produces distinctive linear bracts and bractlets ranging from green to red, subtending interrupted flower clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species on Channel Islands; key feature is extremely narrow bractlets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Probably early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 5-385 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Alameda
Bloom period
Malacothamnus clementinus blooms (Jan)Mar-Apr(Nov).
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Delisted
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 clementinus native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus clementinus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus clementinus bloom?
Malacothamnus clementinus blooms (Jan)Mar-Apr(Nov).
Where in California does Malacothamnus clementinus grow?
Malacothamnus clementinus occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Alameda, at elevations of 5-385 m.
What plant family does Malacothamnus clementinus belong to?
Malacothamnus clementinus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus clementinus rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus clementinus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Malacothamnus davidsonii — Tujunga bushmallow
- Malacothamnus densiflorus — Many-flowered bush mallow
- Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus — Few-rayed bushmallow
- Malacothamnus densiflorus var. viscidus — Emerald unicorn bushmallow
- Malacothamnus discombobulatus — Discombobulating bushmallow
- Malacothamnus eastwoodiae — Alice's lovely 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.