Flower profile
Mallow-leaf ninebark
Physocarpus malvaceus
Mallow-leaf ninebark is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Montana it's most often seen in bloom in May–July.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Montana
Quick look
Physocarpus malvaceus is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name mallow ninebark. It is native to western North America.
- It belongs to the Rosaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 8 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Montana. NatureServe
- In Montana, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 15 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 518 research-grade sightings of it in Montana, ranking #89 among the 109 flowers on our Montana list. iNaturalist
Mallow-leaf ninebark gift ideas
Handmade mallow-leaf ninebark gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Mallow-leaf ninebark art print
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Mallow-leaf ninebark greeting card
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Mallow-leaf ninebark mug
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Mallow-leaf ninebark earrings
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Mallow-leaf ninebark embroidery pattern
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Mallow-leaf ninebark sticker
When does it bloom?
In Montana, most flowering sightings come in May–July.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Montana
- No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Montana.
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: NV (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records mallow-leaf ninebark in 8 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Montana counties with USDA records: Beaverhead, Carbon, Fergus, Gallatin, Granite, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Petroleum, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders, Stillwater.
More Montana flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile PHMA5.
- iNaturalist, Physocarpus malvaceus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Physocarpus malvaceus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Montana: Montana noxious weed list (Admin. R. Mont. 4.5.206–4.5.210).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Physocarpus malvaceus (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
- Photo: Hugo Innes via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.