Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus
Splendid bushmallow
Photo: parent species Malacothamnus fasciculatus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1A
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus (Splendid bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated. Species extinct (1A). Key features: very short stellate hairs, high elevation tolerance.
Splendid bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1A) California native shrub found in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation and openings at elevations from sea level to 2,640 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces delicate pink to white flowers with petals up to 2 centimeters long, emerging in spike-like to panicle-like clusters. Growing up to 6 meters tall with a spreading habit and occasional rhizomatous growth, it develops stems covered in distinctive stellate hairs with fine branches less than 0.4 millimeters long. Its leaf blades are bright green, unlobed or subtly 3 to 5-lobed, with rounded to acute edges and bases ranging from truncate to heart-shaped. The plant's dense, multi-branched stellate hair coverage gives it a soft, textured appearance, with leaf undersides having 1 to 6 times more hair density than the upper surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated. Species extinct (1A). Key features: very short stellate hairs, high elevation tolerance
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 0-2640 m
Bloom period
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus blooms (Mar)Apr-Jun(Jul).
Conservation status
CNPS 1A
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. laxiflorus native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus bloom?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus blooms (Mar)Apr-Jun(Jul).
What plant family does Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus belong to?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1A, state rank SX.
What habitat does Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus grow in?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. laxiflorus 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 fasciculatus var. nesioticus — Santa cruz island bushmallow
- Malacothamnus foliosus — Ensenada bushmallow
- Malacothamnus fremontii — Unfurled bushmallow
- Malacothamnus fremontii var. exfibulosus — Short-haired unfurled bushmallow
- Malacothamnus fremontii var. fremontii — Long-haired unfurled bushmallow
- Malacothamnus involucratus — Carmel valley bushmallow
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.