species: Malva assurgentiflora
common name: island mallow
family: Malvaceae
where & when encountered: Soledad, CA - 2009
When I first identified this native of the California Channel Islands, it was classified as Lavatera assurgentiflora, so in my mind I always think of it as "lavatera". I'm not sure why they changed the name of of the genus to Malva. In any case it's a beautiful flower and I have seen it growing both wild and in gardens. I have even seen it growing in restoration projects on the Channel Islands.
The flowers grown on Channel Islands have a great view
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