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(Malva assurgentiflora)
Island Mallow (Malva assurgentiflora)
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Jon Sullivan
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Jon Sullivan
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jon Sullivan | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Jon Sullivan | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-05-11T16:35:40-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Malva assurgentiflora, commonly known as Island Mallow, is an evergreen subshrub or shrub native to the California Channel Islands, specifically found in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and grasslands. This species is part of the unique flora of these islands and thrives in their Mediterranean climate. It can grow quite large, typically exceeding one meter in height and can reach up to four meters, making it a substantial presence in the landscape. The leaves of Island Mallow are notable for their size, up to 15 centimeters in both length and width, and are deeply lobed with five to seven toothed segments. The flowers are particularly striking, with five dark-veined, deep pink petals that are somewhat rectangular and measure 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters in length, blooming in the warmer months. The fruit is a distinctive disc shape, segmented into six or eight parts, each housing a seed.
Island Mallow is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its large, showy flowers and its ability to form a dense, bushy shrub. It is often used in gardens for its aesthetic appeal and as a windbreak in coastal areas. The plant is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water gardens. It is adaptable to a range of soil drainage conditions and prefers full sun to part shade. While it is generally easy to maintain, it can be susceptible to pests like spider mites and whiteflies, especially when grown in conditions that are not ideal. Island Mallow is not known for being invasive, but as with many plants, it should be monitored to ensure it does not spread beyond intended areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
Island Mallow is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its large, showy flowers and its ability to form a dense, bushy shrub. It is often used in gardens for its aesthetic appeal and as a windbreak in coastal areas. The plant is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water gardens. It is adaptable to a range of soil drainage conditions and prefers full sun to part shade. While it is generally easy to maintain, it can be susceptible to pests like spider mites and whiteflies, especially when grown in conditions that are not ideal. Island Mallow is not known for being invasive, but as with many plants, it should be monitored to ensure it does not spread beyond intended areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 12-15 feet
- Width: 8-10 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Pink
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and grasslands of the California Channel Islands
Other Names
Common Names: Malva Rosa , Island-Mallow , Mission Mallow , Royal Mallow , Island Tree Mallow , Malva Rosa
Scientific Names: Malva assurgentiflora , Lavatera assurgentiflora subsp. assurgentiflora , Althaea assurgentiflora , Saviniona clementinae
GBIF Accepted Name: Malva assurgentiflora (Kellogg) M.F.Ray