Species Details

Malacothamnus aboriginum

Indian Valley bushmallow

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Species Description:

Malacothamnus aboriginum, commonly known as Indian Valley bushmallow, is a perennial deciduous shrub in the Malvaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, and Cismontane woodland, growing at elevations from 150 to 1700 meters. Malacothamnus aboriginum is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification

Scientific Name: Malacothamnus aboriginum (Rob.) Greene
Common Name: Indian Valley bushmallow
Family:	Malvaceae
Element Code:	PDMAL0Q020
USDA Plants Symbol:	MAAB2
Synonyms/Other Names:
Name Status:	JEP, FNA, POWO, IPNI, Tropicos

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Fed List:	None
State List:	None
Global Rank:	G3
State Rank:	S3
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_CalBG/RSABG; SB_SBBG
CRPR Changes:
Add Date:	1974-01-01
Date Edited:	2024-06-04

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial deciduous shrub

Blooming Period: Apr-Oct

Elevation:
150 - 1700 meters
490 - 5580 feet

General Habitats:

Chaparral
Cismontane woodland

Microhabitat Details:

Microhabitat:

Burned areas (often)
Granitic
Rocky

Notes

Notes: Appears in abundance after fires.
Threats: Threatened by grazing, vehicles, road maintenance.
Taxonomy: M. enigmaticus specimens from SDG Co. have been confused with this species. See Synoptical Flora of North America 1(1):311 (1897) for original description.

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

THREAT LIST:
Threat List Total:	6
	Total EOs	% of EOs
EOs with Threat Listed:	8	13 %
Grazing	4	6%
Road/trail construction/maint.	3	4%
Biocides	1	1%
Mining	1	1%
Non-native plant impacts	1	1%
ORV activity	1	1%

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Element Occurrence Ranks:
Total Occurrences:					63
A	B	C	D	X	U
0	2	2	3	0	56

Occurrence Status:
Historical >20 Years	38
Recent <=20 Years	25

Presence:
Presumed Extant	63
Possibly Extirpated	0
Presumed Extirpated	0

Location

California Endemic:

California Island:

States: Name (Code)
California (CA)

California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Fresno (FRE), Kings (KNG), Monterey (MNT), San Benito (SBT)

Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Alcalde Hills (3612024), Bickmore Canyon (3612152), Cherry Peak (3612162), Ciervo Mtn. (3612045), Curry Mountain (3612014), Garza Peak (3512082), Gonzales (3612154), Hepsedam Peak (3612037), Hernandez Reservoir (3612047), Hollister (3612174), Idria (3612046), Joaquin Rocks (3612034), Llanada (3612058), Lonoak (3612038), North Chalone Peak (3612142), Paicines (3612163)?, Panoche Pass (3612161), Pinalito Canyon (3612131), Rock Spring Peak (3612048), San Benito (3612151), San Benito Mtn. (3612036), Santa Rita Peak (3612035), Smith Mountain (3612015), Soledad (3612143), Stockdale Mountain (3512085), The Dark Hole (3512083), Topo Valley (3612141), Tres Pecos Farms (3612043), Tres Pinos (3612173), Valleton (3512086)

Notes:

Definitions of codes following a county and/or quad:
*		Presumed extirpated
(?)		Occurrence confirmed, but possibly extirpated
Quad and county data is imported from the CNDDB. Species may be present in other areas where conditions are favorable. These data should NOT be substituted for pre-project review or for on-site surveys.

Regional Map

Map

Presumed Extant

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CNPS Rare Plant Inventory