Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra
Southern island mallow
(c) Bri Weldon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra (Southern island mallow) is a native California shrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by subsp. assurgentiflora by glabrous leaves and notched petals.
Southern island mallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found on coastal bluffs and off-shore rocky islets at elevations below 155 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces flowers with irregularly notched petal tips, creating a delicate and distinctive bloom. Growing as a compact shrub with sturdy branches, it develops a robust form well-adapted to coastal environments. Its leaves are uniformly green, with smooth surfaces on both upper and lower sides, providing a clean and consistent appearance. The plant's ability to thrive on rocky coastal margins makes it a distinctive and resilient species of the California shoreline.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 8 species; distinguished from subsp. assurgentiflora by glabrous leaves and notched petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs; off-shore rocky islets
Elevation: < 155 m
Bloom period
Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra 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 subsp. glabra native to California?
Yes. Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra bloom?
Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra blooms All year.
What plant family does Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra belong to?
Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra is in the Malvaceae family, genus Malva.
Is Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra rare or endangered?
Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra grow in?
Malva assurgentiflora subsp. glabra grows in Coastal bluffs; off-shore rocky islets.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.