Tujunga bushmallow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tujunga bushmallow |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Malacothamnus
|
| Species: |
davidsonii
|
Malacothamnus davidsonii, also known as Davidson's bushmallow, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the mallow family, which also includes plants like cotton and hibiscus. This plant is a type of shrub.
Contents
Where Davidson's Bushmallow Grows
Davidson's bushmallow is special because it grows only in California. This means it is endemic to California. You can find it growing on slopes in different natural areas. These areas include chaparral (a type of shrubland) and oak woodlands.
Specific Locations in California
This unique plant is found in three main parts of California:
- The southern San Francisco Bay Area, especially around San Mateo County.
- The Santa Lucia Mountains. This is part of the California Coast Ranges in southern Monterey County. It grows in the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest.
- The Transverse Ranges, which include the San Gabriel Mountains. You can also find it in the eastern San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County.
What Davidson's Bushmallow Looks Like
Davidson's bushmallow is an upright shrub. It has a thick stem with many branches. This plant can grow quite tall, reaching about 3 to 5 meters (10 to 16 feet) high. Its stems and leaves are covered in short, soft, woolly fibers. This makes the plant feel a bit like felt.
Leaves of the Bushmallow
The leaves are thick and also very hairy. They are rounded in shape. Each leaf is divided into several dull, soft sections. The edges of the leaves are wavy. Some of the largest leaves can be as long as 20 centimeters (about 8 inches).
Flowers of the Bushmallow
The flowers grow in long clusters called an inflorescence. There are many flowers in each cluster. The petals are a pale pink color. They are oval or slightly triangular in shape. Each petal is about half a centimeter (0.2 inches) long. The flowers are also hairy.
