Malacothamnus eastwoodiae
Alice's lovely bushmallow
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Malacothamnus eastwoodiae (Alice's lovely bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by prominent glandular hairs and large flowers.
Alice's lovely bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in coastal habitats at elevations of 30 to 125 meters, typically growing in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation and edges of openings. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pale flowers with petals up to 3.5 centimeters long in loosely flowered clusters. Growing as a spreading shrub up to 3 meters tall, it features stems densely covered in stellate hairs with delicate branching. Its leaves are round to widely ovate, with 3 to 7 subtle rounded or acute lobes, bright green on the upper surface and paler underneath. The plant's distinctive stellate hairs and ability to spread by rhizomes make it a uniquely adapted shrub of recovering landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinguished by prominent glandular hairs and large flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Probably early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 30-125 m
Bloom period
Malacothamnus eastwoodiae blooms May-Jun(Aug).
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 eastwoodiae native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus eastwoodiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus eastwoodiae bloom?
Malacothamnus eastwoodiae blooms May-Jun(Aug).
What plant family does Malacothamnus eastwoodiae belong to?
Malacothamnus eastwoodiae is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus eastwoodiae rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus eastwoodiae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Malacothamnus eastwoodiae grow in?
Malacothamnus eastwoodiae grows in Probably 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 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
- Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus — Santa cruz island 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.