Same. Excellent advice. I've had this happen in my garden as well, mostly on my hollyhock (Alcea sp.) but also on my mallow (Malva sylvestris). I'm wondering if it's something that plants in the Malvaceae family are especially prone to? It can be hard to keep up with pulling the leaves off but it's all I've found so far to save the plant. Just in case, you should be able to find plenty more affordable flowers in the mallow family. They should really enjoy your California climate.That looks like plain old mallow to me. If you'll look at my last picture above, that's malva or lavatera.
When I see those rust spots starting on my mallow plants, I cut the affected leaves off and toss them where the critter can't spread. I've noticed that if you catch it early enough, you can nip it in the bud. But if you allow it to start spreading, you might as well just ditch the whole plant.
It's rust or fungus:
http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden...t-by-rust-disease-needs-attention-3637832.php
Awesome Malva, @Yvonne G!This is the Malva in the leopard tortoise yard. It always has flowers on it, all year long!:
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My turn! Everyone had great photos of spring's return while it was snowing outside here. But pretty much all of the snow has melted (for now) and some sunshine yesterday lured me outside to turn over our compost bin. I moved all the fresh compost from the right one to the left. We have a good haul! Hopefully we'll build some stronger compost bins this year with cedar framing.
Here's the tortoise garden today. I've already started clearing out some of last season's growth. We have a lot of native seeds leftover like asters and evening primrose. I have big plans for this year!