Malacothamnus discombobulatus
Discombobulating bushmallow
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Malacothamnus discombobulatus (Discombobulating bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by height and panicle inflorescence.
Discombobulating bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation at elevations of 150 to 710 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces pink to white flowers in narrowly to widely panicle-like clusters. Growing up to 5 meters tall with moderately to densely stellate-hairy stems that occasionally spread by rhizomes, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are nearly round to widely ovate, with 3 to 7 rounded or slightly pointed lobes, appearing ashy to bright green on the surface with a paler underside. The shrub produces distinctive flowers with petals up to 2 centimeters long, nestled among lanceolate bracts that can range from green to partially or fully red.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinguished by height and panicle inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 150-710 m
Bloom period
Malacothamnus discombobulatus blooms (May)Jul-Aug(Oct).
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 discombobulatus native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus discombobulatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus discombobulatus bloom?
Malacothamnus discombobulatus blooms (May)Jul-Aug(Oct).
What plant family does Malacothamnus discombobulatus belong to?
Malacothamnus discombobulatus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus discombobulatus rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus discombobulatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Malacothamnus discombobulatus grow in?
Malacothamnus discombobulatus 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 eastwoodiae — Alice's lovely bushmallow
- Malacothamnus enigmaticus — Enigmatic bushmallow
- Malacothamnus fasciculatus — Chaparral mallow
- Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis — Santa catalina island bushmallow
- Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. fasciculatus — Southern coastal bushmallow
- Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus — Splendid bushmallow
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-15
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.