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Globe Mallow (6)

Globemallows, the genus Sphaeralcea, in this area usually have five orange petals forming a cup or saucer shaped flower. The foliage is covered with star-shaped hairs giving it a grey-green appearance. The location and shape of the leaves differentiate the species.

Sphaeralcea coccinea

Scarlet Globemallow
Sphaeralcea coccinea

Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
AKA: Cowboy's Delight, Copper Mallow
Photo taken on: June 18, 2005
Location: Almont Triangle, CO
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Dry sandy areas

Grows from 4" to 16" in large patches, usually about 8" high. Leaves are deeply divided into three or five then divided again. Sometimes the edges fold in making them appear narrower. Flowers grow in a dense cluster at the top of the branches. The plant below was in Huerfano County in Eastern Colorado.

Flora of North America reference.

Sphaeralcea incana

Gray Globemallow
Sphaeralcea incana

Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
AKA: Soft Globemallow
Photo taken on: May 13, 2009
Location: White Rock, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Dry meadows, rocky areas

Grows to 3 feet with 3-lobed, greyish leaves and less congested, lighter orange flowers.

Sphaeralcea incana

Flora of North America reference.

Sphaeralcea parvifolia

Small-leaf Globemallow
Sphaeralcea parvifolia

Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: May 25, 2012
Location: Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Dry areas, roadsides

Grows to 2 feet usually but can be taller, with greyish, triangular, wavy-edged leaves. Flowers are ½" to ¾" across.

Flora of North America reference.

Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia

Gooseberry-leaf Globemallow
Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia

Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
AKA: Large Leaf Globemallow
Photo taken on: November 3, 2014
Location: Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Dry areas, roadsides, disturbed soil

Grows 1 to 3 feet high. Flowers grow on short stems along the length of the branches (not apparent in this photo). Leaves are up to 3" long and covered in hairs giving a greyish appearance. They are deeply divided into lobes and the lobes are divided again, similar to Scarlet Globemallow.

Flora of North America reference.

Sphaeralcea fendleri

Fendler's Globemallow
Sphaeralcea fendleri

Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
AKA: Thicket Mallow
Photo taken on: May 29, 2015
Location: Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Dry areas, roadsides

Grows to 4 feet tall and can become shrub-like. Leaves are divided into two smaller side lobes and a larger central lobe, all with scalloped edges and appear more green than the other Globemallows. Flowers are over 1" across and less cup-like than the other Globemallows.

Flora of North America reference.

 

Sphaeralcea hastulata (S. subhastata)

Spear Globemallow
Sphaeralcea hastulata (S. subhastata)

Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
AKA: Wrinkled Globemallow
Photo taken on: June 15, 2015
Location: Abiquiu Lake, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Dry areas, roadsides

Growing to 3ft high with distinctive spear-shaped leaves. Flowers about ½" across and not as congested on the stem as other Globemallows.

Flora of North America reference.

Red & Orange Flowers