Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila
Marsh checkerbloom, Marsh Checkerbloom
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Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila (Marsh checkerbloom) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by decumbent rooting habit and head-like clusters.
Marsh checkerbloom is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges in wet soil of streambanks and meadows at elevations of 440 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces bright pink flowers 8 to 12 millimeters long in head-like clusters. Growing with decumbent stems 30 to 90 centimeters tall that occasionally root near the base, the plant has slender stems less than 5 millimeters in diameter. Its leaves are covered with stellate (star-shaped) hairs, with lower stems displaying sparse bristles approximately 2 millimeters long. The fruit segments are smooth, about 2.2 millimeters long, with a very short beak less than 0.3 millimeters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; decumbent rooting habit and head-like clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet soil of streambanks, meadows
Elevation: 440-2300 m
Bloom period
Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila blooms Jul-Sep.
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. hydrophila native to California?
Yes. Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila bloom?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila belong to?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sidalcea.
Is Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila rare or endangered?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila grow in?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. hydrophila grows in Wet soil of streambanks, 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.