Scarlet Globemallow
Sphaeralcea coccinea
Mallow family (Malvaceae)

Though commonly known as the Scarlet Globemallow, its most common petal color in some regions is orange. The plant loses its leaves during times of drought as a strategy for survival and establishes well on disturbed sites. The Blackfeet Indians applied a paste made from this plant to burns, scalds, and external sores as a soothing agent. There are a number of Mallows in our area; most grow in large colonies and are very showy. "Sphaer" is Greek for "a sphere or globe" and "alcea" is Greek for "a mallow." "Coccin" is Latin for "scarlet."

Description

Low spreading perennial herb, 4-8" tall, often growing in patches. Flowers are orange, saucer-shaped with 5-broad petals that are shallowly notched, arranged in small clusters (racemes). Leaves are alternate, gray hairy on undersides and deeply divided into 3-5 palmate wedge-shaped segments.

Field Marks

Short plant, bright orange flowers, palmate leaves.

© Al Schneider