Sidalcea stipularis
Scadden flat checkerbloom
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Sidalcea stipularis (Scadden flat checkerbloom) is a native California herb in the Malvaceae family, recognized by unlobed leaves all similar and head-like flower clusters.
Scadden flat checkerbloom is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Forest bioregion in marsh habitat at elevations around 700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces pink flowers approximately 15 millimeters long with distinctive spreading bristles. Growing with stems 30 to 65 centimeters tall that feature spreading simple bristles, it develops from a rhizomatous root system. Its leaves are uniform along the stem, with ovate unlobed blades and small stipules less than 2 centimeters long that are slightly oblique or heart-shaped. The plant produces flowers with calyxes about 8 millimeters long and distinctive linear-oblanceolate bractlets supporting its inflorescence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; unlobed leaves all similar and head-like flower clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marsh
Elevation: +- 700 m.
California counties: Nevada
Bloom period
Sidalcea stipularis blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 stipularis native to California?
Yes. Sidalcea stipularis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sidalcea stipularis bloom?
Sidalcea stipularis blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Sidalcea stipularis grow?
Sidalcea stipularis occurs in Nevada, at elevations of +- 700 m..
What plant family does Sidalcea stipularis belong to?
Sidalcea stipularis is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sidalcea.
Is Sidalcea stipularis rare or endangered?
Sidalcea stipularis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sidalcea asprella — Harsh checker mallow
- Sidalcea asprella subsp. asprella — Harsh checkerbloom
- Sidalcea asprella subsp. nana — Dwarf sierran checkerbloom
- Sidalcea calycosa — Vernal pool checkerbloom
- Sidalcea calycosa subsp. calycosa — Vernal pool checkerbloom
- Sidalcea calycosa subsp. rhizomata — Point reyes checkerbloom
- Sphaeralcea ambigua — Apricot mallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. ambigua — Apricot mallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea — Parish mallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rugosa — Roughleaf apricot mallow
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.