Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola
Rusby's desert-mallow
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola (Rusby's desert-mallow) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by distinctive small size but large flowers and higher elevation.
Rusby's desert-mallow is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in northern Death Valley region, eastern Mojave Desert, and Clark Mountain Range in desert scrub at elevations of 1,000 to 1,500 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces vibrant red-orange flowers less than 20 millimeters long with yellow anthers. Growing as an erect subshrub approximately 3 decimeters tall with an upright form, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its light green leaves are widely ovate, featuring three deep lobes, each approximately 15 to 20 millimeters long with a truncate to heart-shaped base. The fruit develops in segments approximately 5 millimeters wide, containing one to two black-gray seeds per segment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 5 species; distinctive small size but large flowers and higher elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub
Elevation: 1000-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside
Bloom period
Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola blooms May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Malacothamnus: Sphaeralcea flowers face outward in open panicles; Malacothamnus flowers are tucked closer to stems in denser clusters.; vs Abutilon: Sphaeralcea has 1-3 small bracts (even if fallen); Abutilon completely lacks any bracts beneath flowers.; vs Malva: Sphaeralcea has salmon-orange flowers and net-veined fruit base; Malva has pink-purple flowers and smooth fruits throughout.; vs Hibiscus: Sphaeralcea has small flowers and inconspicuous bracts; Hibiscus has very large flowers and prominent persistent bracts.; vs Eriogonum: Sphaeralcea has typical mallow flowers with fused stamen column; Eriogonum has tiny flowers in heads with papery bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola native to California?
Yes. Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola bloom?
Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola blooms May.
Where in California does Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola grow?
Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Riverside, at elevations of 1000-1500 m.
What plant family does Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola belong to?
Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sphaeralcea.
Is Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola rare or endangered?
Sphaeralcea rusbyi var. eremicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sphaeralcea sp. — Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua — Apricot mallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. ambigua — Apricot mallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea — Parish mallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rugosa — Roughleaf apricot mallow
- Sphaeralcea angustifolia — Narrow-leaved globemallow
- Abutilon abutiloides — Shrubby abutilon
- Abutilon grandifolium — Hairy abutilon
- Abutilon incanum — Pelotazo
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.