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(Malacothamnus jonesii)
Slender Bushmallow (Malacothamnus jonesii)
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Scott Yarger
Public Domain
Image By:
Scott Yarger
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Scott Yarger | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Scott Yarger | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-05-16T07:04:55-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Malacothamnus jonesii, commonly known as Slender Bushmallow, is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub or subshrub native to the chaparral and coastal sage scrub of California, particularly in the Central Coast and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It typically grows to a height and width of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters). The plant has a slender, branching stem that can reach over two meters in height and is coated densely in velvety white hairs, giving it a felt-like appearance. The thin, gray-green leaves are several centimeters long and add to the plant’s delicate texture. Slender Bushmallow produces a loose cluster of pale pink flowers with narrow petals each under a centimeter long, which bloom in the spring and summer and are moderately showy.
Slender Bushmallow is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in challenging conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings. It is often used in restoration projects, as it provides habitat and food for local wildlife. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and requires low amounts of water once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens. It is adaptable to various soil types, provided they have medium drainage. While not commonly affected by diseases, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Slender Bushmallow is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in challenging conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings. It is often used in restoration projects, as it provides habitat and food for local wildlife. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and requires low amounts of water once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens. It is adaptable to various soil types, provided they have medium drainage. While not commonly affected by diseases, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Subshrub
- Height: 3-6 feet
- Width: 3-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Chaparral and coastal sage scrub of California, particularly in the Central Coast and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada
Other Names
Common Names: Jones’ Bushmallow
Scientific Names: , Malacothamnus jonesii, Malacothamnus gracilis, Malacothamnus niveus, Malvastrum gracile, Malvastrum fragrans, Malvastrum jonesii, Malvastrum dudleyi, Malvastrum fremontii var. niveum, Malvastrum niveum
GBIF Accepted Name: Malacothamnus jonesii (Munz) Kearney