Sphaeralcea coccinea

Scientific Name: Sphaeralcea coccinea (Pursh) Rydb.
Family Name: Mallow (Malvaceae)
Common Name: scarlet globemallow

Morphological Characteristics:
Habit - native perennial forb, low, erect to decumbent, from a very deep, stout woody taproot, 10-30 cm (4-12 in.) tall.
Leaves - alternate, thickish, palmately compound with irregular, three-lobed leaflets, a dense covering of minute, star-shaped (stellate) hairs that give the leaves a rough texture, grayish to dark green.
Flower - simple raceme, calyx of 5 sepals with conspicuous long, soft hairs, 5 petals orange to salmon-colored, 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in.) long.
Fruit - globose, separating into 8-12 pie-shaped segments that are a 1-seeded carpel Blooming: mid- to late-spring and seed matures.

Blooming: mid- to late-spring and seed matures in early- to mid-August.

Distribution & Habitat: Extremely adaptable and widely distributed, found on many soil types, but prefers moderately sandy or rocky sites on dry hills, prairies, and desert areas; look for large, robust communities on harsh sites.

Line drawing from North American Range Plants, 1981. J. Stubbendieck, S.L. Hatch, and K. Hirsch

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Last Modified: 06/15/2005