Sidalcea multifida
Cut-leaf checkerbloom
(c) Ryan Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Sidalcea multifida (Cut-leaf checkerbloom) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by glaucous appearance and deeply dissected leaves.
Cut-leaf checkerbloom is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada in dry sagebrush scrub and pine forest habitats at elevations of 2,000 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces rose-pink flowers 10 to 25 millimeters long in small clusters of 3 to 9 blossoms. Growing with multiple ascending stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops from a woody base and has gray-glaucous foliage with a somewhat fuzzy appearance. Its basal leaves are deeply lobed with 7 to 9 segments, each divided into narrow linear or oblong shapes, creating a delicate and intricate leaf structure. The fruit consists of 6 to 7 segments approximately 3.5 to 4 millimeters long with a netted and glandular surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; glaucous appearance and deeply dissected leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry places, sagebrush scrub, pine forest
Elevation: 2000-2800 m
California counties: Tulare, Mono, Alpine, Alameda, Nevada
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Sidalcea multifida blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 multifida native to California?
Yes. Sidalcea multifida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sidalcea multifida bloom?
Sidalcea multifida blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Sidalcea multifida grow?
Sidalcea multifida occurs in Tulare, Mono, Alpine, Alameda, Nevada, at elevations of 2000-2800 m.
What plant family does Sidalcea multifida belong to?
Sidalcea multifida is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sidalcea.
Is Sidalcea multifida rare or endangered?
Sidalcea multifida carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.