Malacothamnus fremontii

Malacothamnus fremontii is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common name unfurled bushmallow (after its flowers that dry unfurled). Malacothamnus fremontii is endemic to northern and central California. It is found growing in chaparral and woodlands in several mountain ranges and their foothills. Two varieties are currently recognized, Ml fremontii var. fremontii and M. fremontii var. exfibulosus (formerly Malacothamnus helleri). Malacothamnus fremontii is a stiff, erect shrub with a branching stem reaching 0. 5-2 metres (1. 6-6. 6 ft) in height. It is coated densely in white fibers, appearing feltlike. The hairy oval or rounded lobed leaves are several centimeters long. The inflorescence is an elongated cluster of many pale purple flowers with hairy petals each up to a centimeter long.