Sant cruz island bush-mallow
Malacothamnus fasciculatus
Synonyms: Malvastrum fasciculatum var. typicum, Sphaeralcea arcuata, Malvastrum fasciculatum var. laxiflorum, Malvastrum fasciculatum var. nuttallii, Malveopsis splendida, Malvastrum nuttallii, Malvastrum hallii, Malvastrum fasciculatum var. nesioticum, Malveopsis arcuata, Malvastrum nesioticum subsp. nuttallii, Malveopsis fasciculata, Malvastrum parishii, Malacothamnus fasciculatus subsp. catalinensis, Malvastrum splendidum, Malacothamnus fasciculatus subsp. splendidus, Malvastrum laxiflorum, Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. splendidus, Malvastrum nesioticum, Malacothamnus nesioticus, Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nuttallii, Malacothamnus nuttallii, Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus, Sphaeralcea thurberi, Malacothamnus fasciculatus subsp. laxiflorus, Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis, Sphaeralcea fasciculata var. nuttallii, Sphaeralcea fasciculata var. nesiotica, Malvastrum fasciculatum, Malvastrum mendocinense, Malvastrum thurberi var. laxiflorum, Malvastrum thurberi, Malva fasciculata, Sphaeralcea nesiotica, Malacothamnus mendocinensis, Malacothamnus parishii, Malvastrum catalinense, Malvastrum fasciculatum var. catalinense, Malvastrum arcuatum, Malacothamnus arcuatus, Sphaeralcea fasciculata var. elmeri, Sphaeralcea fasciculata, Malacothamnus hallii
Gallery
Botanical Description
Malacothamnus fasciculatus, known as chaparral bush-mallow or Santa Cruz Island bush-mallow, is an evergreen shrub in the Malvaceae family, native to the chaparral, coastal scrub and open slopes of California and northern Baja California. The plant typically reaches 1 to 4 metres tall, with several slender, ascending stems clothed in young growth with a dense, stellate, greyish-white tomentum that fades with age. The alternate, palmately lobed leaves are 2 to 8 centimetres long, with three to seven shallow to moderately deep lobes and crenate margins; both surfaces bear stellate hairs giving a soft, greyish-green appearance. The inflorescences are dense, leafy, terminal or axillary spike-like clusters bearing numerous flowers in tight fascicles. Each flower is about 1.5 to 2.5 centimetres across with five pale pink to rose-pink, slightly overlapping, broadly obovate petals surrounding a central column of fused stamens characteristic of the mallow family. Flowering occurs from late spring into summer. The fruit is a small disc-shaped schizocarp of stellate-hairy mericarps.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.