Malacothamnus fremontii is known by the common names unfurled bushmallow (as its corollas remain unfurled after flowering) and Frémont's bushmallow (after John C. Frémont).

Malacothamnus fremontii is endemic to northern California in and west of the Sierra Nevada.

The two varieties are mostly morphologically distinct but possibly intergrade where their geographic ranges meet.

Morphological, phylogenetic, and geographic evidence indicates that up to three or four lineages could be recognized as varieties of M. fremontii but more research is needed clarify which should be.

fremontii is known by the common name long-haired unfurled bushmallow.