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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Lavatera assurgentiflora (Island mallow)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Lavatera assurgentiflora

Lavatera assurgentiflora Kellogg

Island Mallow, Mission-mallow, Tree Mallow

Malvaceae (Mallow Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: LAAS

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A 6-12 ft. high and wide, evergreen shrub with large, glossy maple-like leaves and showy, hollyhock-like flowers. The flowers are white to rose-colored with darker veins.

 

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Up to about 12 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: May flower sporadically year-round.

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Channel Islands, CA; escaped along mainland coast
Native Habitat: Variable; sandy flats; rocky places

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Most well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Fast-growing. Resists drought, wind & salt-spray. Often used as a windbreak or open hedge.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Propagation by seed is possible but germination is often poor.
Seed Treatment: Seeds germinate without pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Lavatera assurgentiflora in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lavatera assurgentiflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lavatera assurgentiflora

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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