Sphaeralcea ambigua

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Desert globemallow

A woolly perennial that grows to 3 feet tall and almost as wide.

Earning its specific epithet “ambigua,” Desert Globemallow’s flowers vary in color from orange to a rose-like salmon-color. The large flowers appear in loose clusters from spring to late fall. It can bloom nearly year-round in the warmest regions and is native to the dry regions of the US and Mexico. Low maintenance, can be cut back periodically to maintain shape.

Works well in beds and borders as well as in a container. A superstar in a drought tolerant garden. Hardy, beautiful color and butterfly magnet!

Sun: Full Sun

Water: Dry, Light

Soil: Clay, Loam, Sand

Other: Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Bees, Drought Tolerant

 

Ecological Value

Globe mallow is the larval host plant for many butterflies such as the west coast lady, the painted lady, the common checkered skipper, the small checkered skipper, and the great white skipper.

Container

1-Gal, D-16

Historical Uses

The plant was used by members of the Shoshoni tribe of Native Americans as a food source and medicinal plant.

Distribution

It is a perennial shrub native to parts of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico in the U.S.; and Sonora and Baja California in Northwest Mexico.

Elevation

From 490–8,200 ft

Communities
Habitat

It grows well in alkaline soil, both sandy or clay.