Malva assurgentiflora
Island mallow
(c) Bri Weldon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Malva assurgentiflora (Island mallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by native status, S-shaped stalks, and reflexed petals diagnostic.
Island mallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in the Channel Islands and naturalized in coastal and southern California counties on coastal bluffs at elevations below 350 meters. Flowering all year, this plant produces rose to purple flowers with dark veins and pale bases, 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters long and often reflexed with age. Growing 1 to 4 meters tall with decumbent to erect stems, it develops a robust and spreading habit with stellate-hairy or occasionally glabrous branches. Its distinctive leaves are 5 to 15 centimeters wide with 5 to 7 triangular-ovate lobes that are toothed and can be hairy or smooth. The fruit is a distinctive round capsule 12 to 16 millimeters in diameter with 6 to 8 smooth segments that develop from the plant's showy flowers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; native status, S-shaped stalks, and reflexed petals diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs
Elevation: < 350 m.
California counties: Alameda, Marin, Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Ventura, Santa Cruz, Mono
Outside California: naturalized Mexico.
Bloom period
Malva assurgentiflora blooms All year.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Pelargonium: Malva has symmetrical bowl-shaped flowers; Pelargonium has irregular flowers with two upper petals distinct from three lower.; vs Sidalcea: Malva has 3 bracts forming collar below flower; Sidalcea has no bract ring (or just 1-3 tiny bracts).; vs Hibiscus: Malva has small flowers with 3 bracts; Hibiscus has large showy flowers with many fused bracts.; vs Alcea: Malva has smaller flowers (<6 cm) with 3 bracts; Alcea has huge flowers (>6 cm) with 5-11 bracts.; vs Malvella: Malva is upright and green; Malvella is prostrate forming gray-fuzzy ground mats.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malva assurgentiflora native to California?
Yes. Malva assurgentiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malva assurgentiflora bloom?
Malva assurgentiflora blooms All year.
Where in California does Malva assurgentiflora grow?
Malva assurgentiflora occurs in Alameda, Marin, Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of < 350 m..
What plant family does Malva assurgentiflora belong to?
Malva assurgentiflora is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malva.
Is Malva assurgentiflora rare or endangered?
Malva assurgentiflora carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.