Sidalcea robusta is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common name Butte County checkerbloom.[1]

Sidalcea robusta

Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Sidalcea
Species:
S. robusta
Binomial name
Sidalcea robusta

Description

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This rhizomatous perennial herb produces a sturdy stem which can exceed a meter in height. Sidalcea robusta is mostly hairless above with sparse hairs near the base. The leaves are divided into pointed lobes and have bristly hairs on their upper surfaces.[2] The inflorescence is a long, open series of flowers which can be 30–40 cm (12–16 in) in length. The flowers each have five pale pink petals up to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long that turn yellowish as they dry.[3]

Distribution

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Sidalcea robusta is endemic to Butte County, California, where it is known from about 20 occurrences, including some near Chico. It is a resident of chaparral and woodland habitat in mountain foothills.

It is an Endangered species listed by the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants and The Nature Conservancy.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ a b NRCS. "Sidalcea robusta". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  2. ^ Nakamura, Gary (2001). Illustrated Field Guide to Selected Rare Plants of Northern California. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. p. 322. ISBN 9781879906457.
  3. ^ Jepson, Willis; Hickman, James (1993). The Jepson Manual,Higher Plants of California. University of California Press. p. 767. ISBN 9780520082557.
  4. ^ California Native Plant Society, Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02): Sidalcea robusta . accessed 3.8.2016.
  5. ^ The Nature Conservancy, Imperiled flora: Sidalcea robusta
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