Malacothamnus palmeri
Cambria bushmallow
(c) Quinn Shemet, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Malacothamnus palmeri (Cambria bushmallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Cambria 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 5 to 815 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces pale flowers that can reach nearly 2 centimeters long, with petals delicately arranged in head-like clusters. Growing as a spreading shrub up to 2 meters tall, it develops dense stellate (star-shaped) hairs that completely cover its stems, making the underlying surface invisible without magnification. Its leaves are widely ovate, typically unlobed or with 3 to 5 rounded to acute lobes, ranging from ashy to bright green in color with cordate to wedge-shaped bases. The plant's distinctive stellate hair coverage and ability to spread by rhizomes makes it a unique component of recovering burn landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Early-recovering post-burn woody vegetation, edges of openings, some plants occasionally persisting into more mature vegetation stages
Elevation: 5-815 m
California counties: Monterey, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Malacothamnus palmeri blooms May-(Jul)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 palmeri native to California?
Yes. Malacothamnus palmeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malacothamnus palmeri bloom?
Malacothamnus palmeri blooms May-(Jul)Aug.
Where in California does Malacothamnus palmeri grow?
Malacothamnus palmeri occurs in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 5-815 m.
What plant family does Malacothamnus palmeri belong to?
Malacothamnus palmeri is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malacothamnus.
Is Malacothamnus palmeri rare or endangered?
Malacothamnus palmeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Malacothamnus parishii — Parish's Bushmallow
- Malacothamnus sp. — Bushmallow
- Malacothamnus abbottii — Abbott's bushmallow
- Malacothamnus aboriginum — Indian valley bushmallow
- Malacothamnus arcuatus — Bewildering bushmallow
- Malacothamnus arcuatus var. arcuatus — Western bewildering bushmallow
- Malva arborea — Tree mallow
- Malva assurgentiflora — Island mallow
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.