Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus
Fragrant-snow bushmallow
Photo: parent species Malacothamnus jonesii · (c) paulexcoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus (Fragrant-snow bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by longer calyx hairs and elevation range.
Fragrant-snow bushmallow is a California native shrub found in early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation from 290 to 1,050 meters elevation. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in spike-like clusters with delicate petals up to two centimeters long. Growing as a compact shrub up to 3.5 meters tall, it features distinctive stellate (star-shaped) hairs covering its branches and stems. Its leaves are broadly round or diamond-shaped, sometimes subtly three to five-lobed, with soft stellate hairs that are denser on the leaf undersides. The plant's unique ability to thrive in recovering burned areas and its soft, hairy texture make it a distinctive component of its habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; distinguished by longer calyx hairs and elevation range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 290-1050 m
Bloom period
Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus blooms (Apr)May-Jun(Jul).
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. niveus native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus bloom?
Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus blooms (Apr)May-Jun(Jul).
What plant family does Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus belong to?
Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus grow in?
Malacothamnus jonesii var. niveus 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 · 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.