Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis
Santa catalina island bushmallow, Santa Catalina Island Bush-Mallow
Photo: parent species Malacothamnus fasciculatus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis (Santa catalina island bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by on Channel Islands; distinguished by intermediate bractlet width and red coloration.
Santa catalina island bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native shrub found in southern Channel Islands on Santa Catalina Island in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation and edges of openings at elevations of 0 to 505 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pink to lavender flowers up to 2 centimeters long in dense, interrupted spike-like clusters. Growing to 4 meters tall with a sometimes spreading habit, it features stems covered in intricate stellate hairs with delicate branches less than 0.7 millimeters long. Its bright green leaves are distinctively 3 to 7-lobed with cordate bases, each lobe generally acute and covered in varying densities of stellate hairs that are much sparser on the upper leaf surface. The plant occasionally spreads by rhizomes and can persist in more mature vegetation stages after initial post-burn recovery.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species on Channel Islands; distinguished by intermediate bractlet width and red coloration
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 0-505 m
California counties: Los Angeles
Bloom period
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis blooms (Mar)Apr-Jun(Sep).
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 fasciculatus var. catalinensis native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis bloom?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis blooms (Mar)Apr-Jun(Sep).
Where in California does Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis grow?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis occurs in Los Angeles, at elevations of 0-505 m.
What plant family does Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis belong to?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Malacothamnus fremontii var. exfibulosus — Short-haired unfurled bushmallow
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.