Malacothamnus densiflorus
Introduction '''''Malacothamnus densiflorus''''' is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, which has two varieties. It is endemic to the Peninsular Ranges of southwestern California and northwestern Baja California.
Varieties Two varieties are recognized in ''Malacothamnus densiflorus'': ''Malacothamnus densiflorus'' var. ''densiflorus'' and ''Malacothamnus densiflorus'' var. ''viscidus''. The geographic ranges of these varieties only overlap slightly. '''''Malacothamnus densiflorus''''' '''var. ''' '''''densiflorus''''' is known by the common names few-rayed bushmallow, many-flowered bushmallow, and dense-flowered bushmallow. It can be mostly distinguished from the rest of the genus by the nonglandular trichomes on the abaxial calyx surface, which are relatively long, relatively sparse (especially on the calyx tube), and simple to relatively few-rayed. The common name few-rayed bushmallow comes from this distinctive character. It is distinguished from ''M. densiflorus'' var. ''viscidus'' by having sparser nonglandular trichomes on the abaxial surface of the calyx tube and shorter glandular trichomes overall. '''''Malacothamnus densiflorus''''' '''var.''' '''''viscidus''''' is known by the common name emerald unicorn bushmallow, which is named after the glandular trichomes that, after drying, sometimes resemble unicorn horns made of emerald. It can be distinguished from most of the rest of the genus by the combination of a spike-like inflorescence and relatively long glandular trichomes. ''Malacothamnus densiflorus'' var. ''viscidus'' is endemic to San Diego County, California and adjacent Baja California on Otay Mountain northward to near the town of Jamul, California.
References
External links * Identification guide to ''Malacothamnus'' with maps and photos* Calphotos image gallery for ''Malacothamnus densiflorus'' var. ''densiflorus''* Calphotos image gallery for ''Malacothamnus densiflorus'' var. ''viscidus''