Malacothamnus davidsonii
Tujunga bushmallow, davidson's bushmallow
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Malacothamnus davidsonii (Tujunga bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by height and short bractlet to calyx ratio.
Tujunga bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern San Francisco Bay, southern Coastal Ranges, southern California, western Transverse Ranges, and San Gabriel Mountains on slopes and in washes at elevations of 275 to 1,540 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces pink to white flowers in spike-like clusters with petals up to 2 centimeters long. Growing up to 6 meters tall with densely stellate-hairy stems that have a distinctive ashy to bright green appearance, it forms an upright and sometimes spreading shrub. Its leaves are broadly rounded to ovate, with 3 to 7 subtle lobes, having cordate bases and a textured surface covered in branching stellate hairs. The shrub's calyx is 6.5 to 10 millimeters long, with triangular lobes that are green to partially red, creating a distinctive and textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; distinguished by height and short bractlet to calyx ratio
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, washes
Elevation: 275-1540 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Riverside, San Mateo, Santa Clara
Bloom period
Malacothamnus davidsonii blooms (Apr)Jun-Aug(Feb).
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 davidsonii native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus davidsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus davidsonii bloom?
Malacothamnus davidsonii blooms (Apr)Jun-Aug(Feb).
Where in California does Malacothamnus davidsonii grow?
Malacothamnus davidsonii occurs in Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of 275-1540 m.
What plant family does Malacothamnus davidsonii belong to?
Malacothamnus davidsonii is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus davidsonii rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus davidsonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Malacothamnus enigmaticus — Enigmatic 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.