Eremalche kernensis C. B. Wolf, Occas. Pap. Rancho Santa Ana Bot. Gard. 2: 66, fig. 18. 1938; Malvastrum kernense (C. B. Wolf) Munz

Pedicels usually 1–5 cm in flower; involucellar bractlets (3–)4–7(–10) mm in bisexual flowers, (2.5–)4–6(–8) mm in pistillate flowers. Flowers bisexual or pistillate; petals white or mauve. Bisexual flowers: calyx 5–9(–10) mm, lobes 3.5–7(–8) × 1.7–3(–3.5) mm; petals 8–20(–25) mm, exceeding calyx. Pistillate flowers: calyx 4.5–7.5(–10) mm, lobes 3.2–6.5(–8) × 1.5–2.5(–3.5) mm; petals 5.5–13 mm, ± equaling to slightly exceeding calyx. Mericarps 9–13 in bisexual flowers, 13–19 in pistillate flowers. 2n = 20.

Flowering late winter–spring. Eroded hillsides, alkali flats; of conservation concern; 60–1200 m; Calif.

Subspecies kernensis occurs in the southernmost inner South Coast Ranges and the southern San Joaquin Valley in Kern and San Luis Obispo counties.

SELECTED REFERENCE Bates, D. M. 1992. Gynodioecy, endangerment and status of Eremalche kernensis (Malvaceae). Phytologia 72: 48–54.