Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa
Bear valley checkerbloom, Bear Valley Checkerbloom
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa (Bear valley checkerbloom) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by rooting habit and sparse inflorescence.
Bear valley checkerbloom is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Southern Transverse Ranges in open pine forest at elevations of 1,500 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces pink to lavender flowers in elongate, generally unbranched clusters with 5 to 14 blooms. Growing 20 to 100 centimeters tall with a decumbent stem base that roots and develops stellate hairs, it forms a matted rhizome or elongate caudex. Its leaves vary distinctively, with basal leaves unlobed and crenate, while upper leaves are deeply lobed, covered in coarse stellate hairs that are lighter on the leaf's underside. The fruit segments are approximately 3 millimeters long with a weakly wrinkled surface, reflecting the plant's delicate and intricate botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by rooting habit and sparse inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open pine forest
Elevation: 1500-2300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa blooms Jun-Jul.
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 malviflora subsp. dolosa native to California?
Yes. Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa bloom?
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa grow?
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, at elevations of 1500-2300 m.
What plant family does Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa belong to?
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sidalcea.
Is Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa rare or endangered?
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. dolosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sidalcea malviflora subsp. laciniata — Geranium-leaved checkerbloom
- Sidalcea malviflora subsp. malviflora
- Sidalcea malviflora subsp. patula — Siskiyou checkerbloom
- Sidalcea malviflora subsp. purpurea — Purple-stemmed checkerbloom
- Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata — Seacliff checkerbloom
- Sidalcea multifida — Cut-leaf 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.