Sidalcea calycosa, commonly known as annual checkerbloom, is an annual herb native to California, specifically the North Coast and adjacent Northern California Coast Ranges from Mendocino County to Marin County, as well as sections of the western Sierra Nevada foothills from Butte County south into Tulare County. It typically inhabits wet meadows, grasslands, and the edges of vernal pools within oak woodlands. This species is adapted to the Mediterranean climate of its native region, with wet winters and dry summers. It grows to a height of 12-36 inches (30-91 cm) and features a basal rosette of leaves with flowering stems bearing showy pink to lavender flowers, which bloom from late spring to early summer.

The annual checkerbloom is appreciated for its showy flowers and is used in wildflower gardens, meadow gardens, and for habitat restoration projects. It is a valuable plant for pollinators, attracting bees and butterflies. In cultivation, it requires well-drained soils and full sun to part shade. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry periods. There are no major disease problems, but it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils. It is not known to be invasive when grown outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0