Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus
Santa cruz island bushmallow, Santa Cruz Island Bush-Mallow
Photo: parent species Malacothamnus fasciculatus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus (Santa cruz island bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by on Channel Islands; key feature is panicle-like inflorescence.
Santa cruz island bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in northern Channel Islands on Santa Cruz Island in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation at elevations of 0 to 250 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in panicle-like clusters with petals up to 2 centimeters long. Growing as a spreading shrub up to 3 meters tall with distinctive stellate hairs, it develops extensive rhizome networks. Its leaves are bright green with obscure to moderate 3 to 5 rounded or acute lobes, featuring bases that range from truncate to cordate with varying stellate hair densities. The shrub's delicate bractlets near the calyx are occasionally red with green, adding to its unique botanical character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species on Channel Islands; key feature is panicle-like inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 0-250 m
California counties: Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus blooms Apr-May(Jul).
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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. nesioticus native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus bloom?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus blooms Apr-May(Jul).
Where in California does Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus grow?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus occurs in Santa Barbara, at elevations of 0-250 m.
What plant family does Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus belong to?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Malacothamnus jonesii — Jones's bush mallow
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.