Malacothamnus lucianus
Santa lucia bushmallow, arroyo seco bushmallow
(c) Quinn Shemet, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Malacothamnus lucianus (Santa lucia bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by distinctive long stellate hairs and head-like inflorescence.
Santa lucia 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 0 to 1,160 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pink to white flowers in dense, head-like clusters with petals up to 3 centimeters long. Growing up to 5 meters tall with a spreading, rhizomatous habit, it develops branches with distinctive stellate hairs that create a softly textured appearance. Its leaves are round to widely ovate, bright green on top and paler underneath, with 3 to 7 rounded or slightly acute lobes that sometimes emit a rancid odor. The shrub's branches and leaf surfaces are covered in fine, branching stellate hairs, giving it a delicate and intricate texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive long stellate hairs and head-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: 0-1160 m
Bloom period
Malacothamnus lucianus blooms (Mar)Apr-Jun(Aug).
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 lucianus native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus lucianus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus lucianus bloom?
Malacothamnus lucianus blooms (Mar)Apr-Jun(Aug).
What plant family does Malacothamnus lucianus belong to?
Malacothamnus lucianus is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus lucianus rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus lucianus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Malacothamnus lucianus grow in?
Malacothamnus lucianus 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 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.