Physocarpus malvaceus is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name mallow ninebark.

This plant is a deciduous shrub usually growing up to 2.1 metres (7 feet) tall,[2] sometimes reaching 3 m (10 ft).

[2][3][4] The species is native to western North America, where its distribution extends from British Columbia to Nevada to Wyoming.

The shrub is associated with plant species such as oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), mountain snowberry (S. oreophilus), white spirea (Spiraea betulifolia), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), creeping Oregon-grape (Mahonia repens), and pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens).

[2] This shrub is a pioneer species that increases after disturbance and decreases as the overstory grows back and shades it out.