Taxon Report
Malacothamnus mendocinensis (Eastw.) Kearn.Mendocino bushmallow |
 © 2021 Keir Morse |
Taxon Summary
Malacothamnus mendocinensis, commonly known as Mendocino 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 215 to 230 meters. Malacothamnus mendocinensis is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.Classification
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Scientific Name: |
Malacothamnus mendocinensis (Eastw.) Kearn. |
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Common Name: |
Mendocino bushmallow |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Element Code: | PDMAL0Q0D0 |
| USDA Plants Symbol: | |
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Synonyms/Other Names: |
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Ecology and Life History
| Lifeform: | perennial deciduous shrub |
| Blooming Period: Jun-Aug | Jun-Aug |
| Elevation: | 215-230 (705-755) |
| General Habitats: | Chaparral, Cismontane woodland |
| Microhabitat: | Roadsides, Rocky |
| Microhabitat Details: |
Conservation Status
| CA Rare Plant Rank: | 1B.1 |
| Global Rank: | G1Q |
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State Rank: |
S1 |
| State List: | None |
| Fed List: | None |
| Other Status: | |
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CRPR Changes: |
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Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
| Total Occurrences: | 2 |
| Element Occurrence Ranks: | |
| Excellent (A) | 0 |
| Good (B) | 0 |
| Fair (C) | 0 |
| Poor (D) | 1 |
| None (X) | 1 |
| Unknown (U) | 0 |
| California Endemic: True | |
| California Counties and Islands: Name (Code) | |
| Mendocino (MEN)* | |
| Quads: Name (Quad Code) | |
| Elledge Peak (3912312)*, Ukiah (3912322) | |
Threat List Data from the CNDDB
| Threat List Total: | 5 | |
| EOs with Threat Listed: | Total EOs | % of EOs |
| 2 | 100 % | |
| Dam/Inundation | 1 | 50% |
| Improper burning regime | 1 | 50% |
| Non-native plant impacts | 1 | 50% |
| Other | 1 | 50% |
| Road/trail construction/maint. | 1 | 50% |
Notes
| Rediscovered at Lake Mendocino in 2016 by J. Xerogeanes. Originally known from only two historical collections near Ukiah (last in 1939). Reason for disappearance likely due to lack of wildfire. |
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Threats: |
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Highly threatened by inundation, fire suppression, and recreational activities. Possibly threatened by road maintenance, herbivory, and competition with weeds. |
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Taxonomy: |
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A synonym of M. fasciculatus in TJM (1993). Not recognized in TJM 2 2012 but recognized in Jepson eFlora 2023 treatment. Current research indicates M. mendocinensis is separated morphologically and phylogenetically from other species in the genus. |
Selected References
| Proposed Change from CRPR 1A, GXQ / SX to 1B.1, G1 / S1 (2023) |
| Leaflets of Western Botany 2:188 (1939) |
| Leaflets of Western Botany 6:113-140 (1951) |
Citation
California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 25 November 2025].