Palmer’s or Santa Lucia bushmallow Palmer’s or Santa Lucia bushmallow

Malvastrum palmeri S. Watson, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 12: 250. 1877; Malacothamnus palmeri var. involucratus (B. L. Robinson) Kearney; M. palmeri var. lucianus Kearney; Malvastrum involucratum B. L. Robinson; M. palmeri var. involucratum (B. L. Robinson) McMinn

Flowering Mar–Jul. Chaparral; 30–800 m; Calif.

Malacothamnus palmeri occurs in the central, outer Coast Ranges; its morphology is variable. Plants from Jolon and the Carmel Valley, Monterey County, have been called var. involucratus; they are recognized by cordate leaves, sparse indument (leaves adaxially glabrate), broad bracts to 20 mm wide subtending and partially enclosing the young flower clusters, relatively broad involucellar bractlets, calyx measurements in the lower range (to 1.5 cm), and nearly white petals 1–3 cm. They intergrade with the typical form and, in plants with short-spicate inflorescences, approach M. aboriginum. Plants from near Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, with simple and glandular hairs and generally darker rose petals have been named var. lucianus; they are otherwise similar to the typical variety.