Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala
Cuesta pass checkerbloom, Cuesta Pass Checkerbloom
Photo: parent species Sidalcea hickmanii · (c) Alexander Wentworth, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexander Wentworth · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala (Cuesta pass checkerbloom) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by 6 sympatric hickmanii subspecies - distinguished by mounded form and habitat.
Cuesta pass checkerbloom is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the southern Coast Ranges near Cuesta Pass in San Luis Obispo County within closed-cone conifer forest on serpentine landscapes at elevations of 600 to 800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pink-lavender flowers approximately 1 centimeter wide with delicate, softly colored petals. Growing as a mounded plant 30 to 70 centimeters tall with many generally crowded stems that are reddish and stellate-hairy, it forms a dense and intricate clump. Its leaves have blades 2 to 6 centimeters wide, deeply divided into 5 to 7 lobes with crenate-dentate edges and wide sinuses that narrow toward the base. The plant's multiple reddish stems and soft pink-lavender flowers make it a distinctive addition to its serpentine forest habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric hickmanii subspecies - distinguished by mounded form and habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Closed-cone-conifer forest, generally serpentine
Elevation: 600-800 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Inyo
Bloom period
Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Malva: Sidalcea has no bract ring below flowers and anthers in two circles; Malva has 3 bracts and scattered anthers.; vs Clarkia: Sidalcea has mallow flowers with fused stamens; Clarkia has 4 separate petals and 8 separate stamens.; vs Geranium: Sidalcea has bowl-shaped flowers with fused stamens; Geranium has 5 separate petals and long beaked fruits.; vs Malacothamnus: Sidalcea is herbaceous in meadows; Malacothamnus is a woody shrub in chaparral.; vs Calochortus: Sidalcea is a dicot with 5-petaled flowers; Calochortus is a monocot with 3-petaled flowers from bulbs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala native to California?
Yes. Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala bloom?
Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala grow?
Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala occurs in San Luis Obispo, Inyo, at elevations of 600-800 m.
What plant family does Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala belong to?
Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sidalcea.
Is Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala rare or endangered?
Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. anomala carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. hickmanii — Hickman's checkerbloom
- Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. napensis — Napa checkerbloom
- Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. parishii — Parish's checkerbloom
- Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. pillsburiensis — Lake pillsbury checkerbloom
- Sidalcea hickmanii subsp. viridis — Marin checkerbloom
- Sidalcea hirsuta — Hairy checkerbloom
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.