Carmel Valley Bush-Mallow
(Malacothamnus palmeri var. involucratus )
Malvaceae

Photo Copyright 1992 Dean Wm. Taylor

Description: Deciduous shrub with star-shaped looking hairs, and stout branches, less than 8.3 feet (25dm) tall. Leaves pear-shaped, with sharp or round-toothed edges, 3-5 lobes, and less than 3 1/8 inches (8cm) long. Inflorescence is head-like or spike-like, with dense, sessile flower clusters. Flowers have noticable bracts and bractlets. Bractlets are 5/16 - 5/8 inches (8-16mm) long, 1/16 - 5/16 inches (1-8mm) wide, and linear to pear-shaped. Flower calyx are 3/8 - 1/2 inches (10-14mm) long, and petals are rose colored, 1/2 - 3/4 inches (14-20mm) long. Fruit contain brown seeds 1/8 inch (2.5mm) long.

Distribution:

Habitat: Interior valleys, foothills. Elevation 96 - 3520 feet.

Flowering Period: Blooms May - October.

Similar Plants:

Status: BLM Sensitive, California Native Plant Society List 1B