Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana
Oregon checkerbloom, Oregon Checkerbloom
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Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana (Oregon checkerbloom) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by large size and spaced flowers in panicles.
Oregon checkerbloom is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the Cascade Range, and Modoc Plateau in moist meadows at elevations of 500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces delicate pink to lavender flowers with petals 5 to 15 millimeters long, arranged in loose panicles. Growing 30 to 150 centimeters tall with multiple stems that are stellate-hairy at the base and become less hairy toward the top, it develops an open, branching structure. Its leaves vary along the stem, with lower leaves often broader and more divided, featuring characteristic stellate hairs. The fruit segments are small, approximately 2.5 to 3 millimeters long, typically smooth and occasionally net-veined on the sides.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; large size and spaced flowers in panicles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist meadows
Elevation: 500-2500 m
California counties: Shasta, Lassen, Modoc, Tehama, Siskiyou, Trinity, Plumas, Sierra, Butte, Placer, Nevada, Alpine, Mono, Lake, Humboldt, El Dorado
Outside California: to Washington, Wyoming, Nevada
Bloom period
Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana blooms May-Sep.
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. oregana native to California?
Yes. Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana bloom?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana grow?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana occurs in Shasta, Lassen, Modoc, Tehama, Siskiyou, Trinity, Plumas, Sierra and other counties, at elevations of 500-2500 m.
What plant family does Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana belong to?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sidalcea.
What habitat does Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana grow in?
Sidalcea oregana subsp. oregana grows in Moist meadows.
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.