Indian Valley bushmallow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Indian Valley bushmallow
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Genus:	Malacothamnus
Species:	M. aboriginum
Binomial name
Malacothamnus aboriginum (B.L.Rob.) Greene
Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist.

Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".

The Malacothamnus aboriginum, also known as the gray bushmallow or Indian Valley bushmallow, is a special flowering plant. It belongs to the mallow family, just like cotton and hibiscus plants. This plant is quite rare and has some unique features!

Meet the Gray Bushmallow

The gray bushmallow is a type of shrub that grows in a very bushy way. It has thick branches that are covered in soft hairs, making them feel fuzzy.

How Tall Does It Get?

This plant can grow quite tall, reaching heights of about 2 to 3 meters. That's as tall as a basketball hoop!

Leaves and Flowers

Its leaves are shaped like ovals or circles. They can be several centimeters long and often have pointy edges called lobes. When the gray bushmallow blooms, it produces many pale pink flowers. These flowers grow in clusters and have small, oval petals, usually about one half to one centimeter long.

Where Does It Live?

The gray bushmallow is a true Californian! It is endemic to California, which means it grows naturally only in this state.

Its Special Home

You can find this plant in the Inner Central Coast Ranges. These are rocky hills located to the west of California's large San Joaquin Valley-Central Valley.

Favorite Places to Grow

It loves to live in chaparral and woodland areas on rocky hillsides. Interestingly, the gray bushmallow often grows best and becomes more common after a wildfire. This shows how tough and adaptable it is!