Malacothamnus densiflorus, commonly known as Dense-flowered Bushmallow, is a deciduous shrub native to the chaparral and coastal sage scrub of southwestern California and northwestern Baja California. It typically grows to a height of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters) with a similar spread. The plant has a rounded form with stems that are densely covered in fine hairs, which can be sticky in var. viscidus. It produces showy clusters of pink to lavender flowers from late spring to early summer, which are attractive to pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.

Dense-flowered Bushmallow is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in well-drained soils, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and native plant gardens. It is also used for habitat restoration projects within its native range. In cultivation, it requires minimal water once established, prefers full sun to part shade, and is adaptable to various soil types, though it performs best in sandy or loamy soils. There are no widely known cultivars, but the two varieties can be distinguished by their trichomes: var. densiflorus has softer hairs, while var. viscidus is characterized by its stickier trichomes. Potential problems include susceptibility to fungal diseases in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0