Scientific Family
Malvaceae
Synonyms
Phymosia cuspidata, Sphaeralcea cuspidata, S. emoryi
Other common names
Emory globe mallow
narrowleaf desert mallow
narrowleaf globemallow
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 3 feet
Riparian
No
Distinguished by the large, elongated, oval, toothed leaves which are 3-lobed with 2 large sharp lobes at the base.
Stems erect to floppy; leaves much longer than wide, toothed, 3-lobed, 2 large sharp lobes at base; flowers reddish-pink to pale reddish-orange, 3 or more per node, in interrupted many-flowered elongated clusters; sepals densely hairy.
Habitat
Found in sandy or loamy soil, sandy plains or waste areas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers 3 or more per node; elongated clusters; flower stems shorter than sepals; calyx 1/4 to 1/2 inch; star-like to matted hairs; sharp or tapering lobes; petals 1/2 to 5/8 inch long.
Flower color
Reddish-pink, pale reddish-orange
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems to 1/16 inch long; short white hairs; erect, floppy or curving; blades 2 to 4 inches long; to 3/4 inch wide; somewhat heart-shaped at base; angled to 3-parted; scalloped or toothed margins.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Mericarp (split into separate 1-seeded segments at maturity); 1/16 to 1/4 inch; longer than wide; splitting section about as large as the body.
Fruit type
Achene