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:Â Full Sun
Water:Â Dry, Light
Soil:Â Clay, Loam, Sand
Other:Â 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. |
