Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus
Few-rayed bushmallow
Photo: parent species Malacothamnus densiflorus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus (Few-rayed bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated. Key features: very long narrow bractlets, spike-like interrupted clusters.
Few-rayed bushmallow is a California native shrub found in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation and edges of openings at elevations of 40 to 2,050 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pale flowers with petals up to 2.5 centimeters long in interrupted dense flower clusters. Growing as a shrub up to 2.5 meters tall, it occasionally spreads by rhizomes and features stems densely covered with stellate hairs. Its leaves are unlobed or moderately 3 to 5-lobed with cordate to obtuse bases, with stellate hairs more dense on the leaf undersides. The plant's distinctive bracts subtending the flower clusters are linear or awl-shaped, ranging from 3 to 14.5 millimeters long and sometimes curved or shallowly lobed.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated. Key features: very long narrow bractlets, spike-like interrupted clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 40-2050 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus blooms (Mar)Apr-May(Jul).
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 densiflorus var. densiflorus native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus bloom?
Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus blooms (Mar)Apr-May(Jul).
What plant family does Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus belong to?
Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
What habitat does Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus grow in?
Malacothamnus densiflorus var. densiflorus 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 densiflorus var. viscidus — Emerald unicorn bushmallow
- Malacothamnus discombobulatus — Discombobulating bushmallow
- Malacothamnus eastwoodiae — Alice's lovely bushmallow
- Malacothamnus enigmaticus — Enigmatic bushmallow
- Malacothamnus fasciculatus — Chaparral mallow
- Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis — Santa catalina island bushmallow
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.