Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia
Coast checkerbloom, Coast Checkerbloom
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Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia (Coast checkerbloom) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by exceptional height and paniculate inflorescence.
Coast checkerbloom is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, Klamath Ranges, and northern Coast Range Outer areas in meadow habitats at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces pink to rose-colored flowers in dense panicle clusters 3 to 6 centimeters long. Growing 90 to 120 centimeters tall with stems that occasionally root and are densely covered in simple bristly hairs, it forms a robust and textured appearance. Its leaves vary along the stem, with a distinctive densely bristly base that adds visual complexity to the plant. The fruit segments are approximately 3 millimeters long with a short 0.5 to 0.7 millimeter beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; exceptional height and paniculate inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows
Elevation: < 1200 m
Bloom period
Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia blooms Jun-Aug.
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 oregana subsp. eximia native to California?
Yes. Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia bloom?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia belong to?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sidalcea.
Is Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia rare or endangered?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia grow in?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. eximia grows in Meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.