Malacothamnus fasciculatus
Chaparral mallow
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Malacothamnus fasciculatus (Chaparral mallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by dense hairiness and smaller flower size.
Chaparral mallow is a California native shrub found in various bioregions in chaparral and coastal habitats. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers up to 2 centimeters long in spike-like clusters. Growing to 6 meters tall with a spreading habit, it features densely hairy stems where the surface is completely obscured by stellate hairs. Its leaves are rounded to widely ovate, bright green on top, with subtle to moderate 3 to 7 lobes that have rounded or slightly pointed tips. The shrub spreads occasionally by rhizomes and is characterized by its dense, star-shaped hair coverage that gives it a soft, textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; distinguished by dense hairiness and smaller flower size
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Tulare, Mariposa, Orange, Santa Barbara, Amador, Contra Costa, Kern, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Lake
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 fasciculatus native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus fasciculatus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Malacothamnus fasciculatus grow?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus occurs in San Bernardino, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Tulare, Mariposa, Orange and other counties.
What plant family does Malacothamnus fasciculatus belong to?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Malacothamnus foliosus — Ensenada bushmallow
- Malacothamnus fremontii — Unfurled 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.