Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii
Jones's bushmallow
Photo: parent species Malacothamnus jonesii · (c) paulexcoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii (Jones's bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by spike-like inflorescence.
Jones's bushmallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation and edges of openings at elevations of 175 to 510 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pink to lavender flowers clustered in spike-like inflorescences. Growing up to 3 meters tall with distinctive stellate hairs covering its branches, it forms a dense, rounded shrub with multiple stems. Its leaves are broadly ovate or diamond-shaped, mostly unlobed or with subtle three-lobed edges, covered in star-shaped hairs that are slightly denser on the leaf undersides. The shrub's unique ability to persist in recovering burn areas and its soft, hair-covered appearance make it a notable component of post-fire plant communities.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; distinguished by spike-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: 175-510 m
Bloom period
Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii blooms (Mar)Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 jonesii var. jonesii native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii bloom?
Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii blooms (Mar)Apr-May.
What plant family does Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii belong to?
Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii grow in?
Malacothamnus jonesii var. jonesii 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.
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.