Jepsonia malvifolia

Caudices branched, ovoid or flat. Leaves 2-3. Inflorescences diffuse or dense, (3-)4-17 (-25)-flowered; bracts scalelike; peduncle greenish or olive, drying greenish or brown, branched distally, 6-23 cm. Flowers: hypanthium campanulate, 1-2 mm, ± equaling sepals; sepals yellow-green or pinkish, 1-2 mm, base flattened, glandular-viscid; petals persistent, alternate with sepals, distinct, white with red veins, 3-3.5 mm. Pollen yellowish. Capsules yellow-green with tan striations, beaks divergent. Seeds dark brown. 2n = 14.

Flowering Sep-Nov. Rocky outcrops, coastal bluffs, chaparral, oak woodlands; of conservation concern; 0-500 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California [Guadalupe Island]).

Jepsonia malvifolia is uncommon and occurs on all of the Channel Islands except Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel. Individuals of this species produce flowers that usually last longer than those of the other two members of the genus. Prior to 1992, this species was in decline on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands because feral pigs ate the fleshy caudices. Populations have apparently rebounded to some extent since removal of the pigs.