Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata
Seacliff checkerbloom, Seacliff Checkerbloom
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata (Seacliff checkerbloom) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by bristly stems with swollen pads and unlobed leaves.
Seacliff checkerbloom is a California native perennial found in the northern Coast Ranges including Sonoma and Mendocino counties, and the central Coast Ranges in Marin and San Mateo counties, inhabiting open coastal bluffs at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pink to rose flowers with white veins, generally 1 to 2.5 centimeters long. Growing 15 to 60 centimeters tall with decumbent stems that are densely covered in fine, stellate bristles, the plant has a distinctive growth habit. Its leaves are unlobed, broadly spreading 2 to 6 centimeters wide, with a dense, fine-bristly texture. The plant produces fruit segments 3.5 to 4 millimeters long with net-veined, pitted surfaces and a short beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; distinguished by bristly stems with swollen pads and unlobed leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open coastal bluffs
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Mendocino, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, Monterey
Bloom period
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata blooms Apr-May.
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. rostrata native to California?
Yes. Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata bloom?
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata grow?
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata occurs in Mendocino, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, Monterey, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata belong to?
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sidalcea.
What habitat does Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata grow in?
Sidalcea malviflora subsp. rostrata grows in Open coastal bluffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.