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Island Mallow Wikimedia Commons
Malvaceae

Island Mallow

Malva assurgentiflora

Resilience in isolation.

Family
Malvaceae
Genus
Malva
Native to
Channel Islands of California
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
perennial shrub
Height
150-500 cm
Sunlight
full sun to partial shade
Soil
well-drained, sandy
Water
low to moderate
Hardiness
9-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Island mallow is extinct in the wild on its native Channel Islands, surviving only in cultivation and restoration sites.
  • Overgrazing by introduced livestock on the Channel Islands nearly drove this species to complete extinction.
  • The plant can grow up to 5 meters tall, making it one of the largest mallows in North America.
  • Conservation efforts have successfully reintroduced the species to several Channel Islands.
  • Its flowers attract Anna's hummingbirds, which are important pollinators along the California coast.

Color meanings

0

survival

1

beauty in adversity

2

uniqueness

Uses

  • conservation
  • native plant gardens
  • coastal landscaping
  • pollinator gardens