Malacothamnus fremontii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malacothamnus fremontii |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Malacothamnus
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| Species: |
fremontii
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The Frémont's bushmallow (scientific name: Malacothamnus fremontii) is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the mallow family, which also includes cotton and hibiscus. This plant was named after John C. Frémont, an American explorer.
Frémont's Bushmallow
This plant is a special type of shrub. It has pretty pale purple flowers. The Frémont's bushmallow is known for its unique look and where it grows.
Where It Grows
The Frémont's bushmallow is a plant that is endemic to California. This means it grows naturally only in California and nowhere else in the world. You can find it scattered in different parts of the state.
It likes to grow in areas called chaparral and woodlands. These are places with many shrubs and trees. It also grows in mountain ranges and their foothills. Sometimes, it can be found in higher forests on what are called "Mojave Desert sky islands." These are like tall mountains in the desert that have different climates than the desert floor.
What It Looks Like
The Frémont's bushmallow is a strong, upright shrub. Its branches can grow from about 1.5 feet to 6.5 feet tall (0.5 to 2 meters). The plant is covered in many white, soft fibers. This makes it feel almost like felt.
Its leaves are oval or rounded and have lobes, like small bumps. They can be several centimeters long. The plant's flowers grow in a long cluster called an inflorescence. Each flower is pale purple and has hairy petals. These petals can be up to about half an inch (one centimeter) long.
