Scientific Family
Malvaceae
Synonyms
Sphaeralcea subhastata
Other common names
spreading globe mallow
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1 to 2 feet
Riparian
No
Globe mallows look like small hollyhocks with 1 inch wide orange-red flowers in racemes topping the stems. All globe mallow flowers have 5 petals and the many stamens are united into a column. Leaves help to distinguish between species.
Stems mostly 20 inches tall or less; mostly 1 flower at each node of the inflorescences; leaves longer than wide; carpels (ovaries) relatively thick, netted and wrinkled, the section that opens is less than twice as long as the upper opening portion.
Habitat
Plains, alkaline or gypsum areas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2600
High elevation
6900
Flower Characteristics
Flowers can be clustered or solitary; cluster can be open or crowded. Flower petals red-orange, pink, or purple, less than 1 inch; anthers yellow or purple.
Flower color
Orange, red-orange, purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
July
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
3/4 to 2-1/2 inch wedge shaped leaves with many variations. The leaves of these plants are spirally arranged. Both stems and leaves are downy. Stems ascending to decumbent (lying along the ground then curving upward).
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green to gray-green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The fruit breaks into segments when dry.
Fruit type
Other