Kern Mallow
(Eremalche kernensis )
Malvaceae

Photo Copyright 2003 Brent Miller

Description: Annual herb with generally upright stems. Plant with both male and female flowers, or just female flowers. Both-sexed flower has a calyx 3/16 - 3/8 inch (5-10mm) long, 1/16 - 1/8 inch (1.7-3.5mm) wide, and petals (sometimes white) 5/16 - 1 inch (8-25mm) long. The fruit has 13 - 19 segments with one seed per fruit segment.

Distribution:

Habitat: Eroded hillsides, alkali flats with shadscale. Elevation 224 - 3200 feet.

Flowering Period: Blooms March - May.

Similar Plants:

Status: Federal Endangered, California Native Plant Society List 1B