Sidalcea calycosa subsp. rhizomata

Point reyes checkerbloom, Point Reyes Checkerbloom

Family: Malvaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Point reyes checkerbloom is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central and northern California Coast Ranges in Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin counties, occurring in coastal marshes at elevations below 30 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces soft pink to lavender flowers with petals 20 to 25 millimeters long. Growing as a weak rhizomatous herb with dense flowering stems 25 to 50 centimeters tall, it develops sparse leaves along its underground rhizomes and clusters of leaves on its aerial stems. Its leaves are broad, measuring 2.5 to 10 centimeters wide, with distinctive stipules 12 to 18 millimeters long and silky-hairy bracts that partially conceal the flower calyx. The fruit develops in segments approximately 4.5 millimeters long with subtly net-veined sides.

Habitat: Marshes

Bloom period: May-Jul

Elevation: < 30 m

Bioregions: c&amps NCo (Mendocino, Sonoma cos.), n CCo (Marin Co.).

California counties: Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.