# narrowleaf globemallow (*Sphaeralcea angustifolia*) Narrowleaf globemallow is a pretty flower with long, narrow leaves and bright orange or pink blooms. It grows in sunny places and can be found in deserts and grasslands. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Desert, Grasslands ![narrowleaf globemallow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sphaeralcea_angustifolia_%28Malvaceae%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphaeralcea_angustifolia_%28Malvaceae%29.jpg) ## Appearance The narrowleaf globemallow has slender, upright stems covered in soft hairs, bearing narrow, often toothed, gray-green leaves. Its striking, cup-shaped flowers typically range from bright orange to apricot, sometimes with a pinkish hue. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malvales - **Family:** Malvaceae - **Genus:** Sphaeralcea ## Interesting facts - Wow! Its flowers can actually change from bright orange to pinkish as they get older! - Wow! Its super skinny leaves help it stand out from its rounder-leaf mallow relatives! - Wow! Native American tribes traditionally used parts of this plant for soothing remedies! - Wow! This tough plant is sometimes called 'Desert Mallow' because it loves dry, sunny places! ## Special abilities - **Deep Root Power:** The narrowleaf globemallow can grow incredibly long taproots that dive deep into the soil to find water, helping it survive hot, dry spells. - **Fuzzy Shield:** It has tiny hairs covering its leaves and stems, which act like a fuzzy shield to reduce water loss and protect it from harsh sunlight. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-150 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 1.5-2.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to Fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees visit its bright flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Butterflies feed on the sweet nectar from its blooms. - **Eaten by:** [Black-tailed Jackrabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-tailed-jackrabbit) (*Lepus californicus*) — Jackrabbits may browse on its leaves and stems. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify narrowleaf globemallow? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is narrowleaf globemallow? 30-150 cm ### How wide does narrowleaf globemallow spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on narrowleaf globemallow? 1.5-2.5 cm ### When does narrowleaf globemallow bloom? Spring to Fall ### Is narrowleaf globemallow edible? Yes ### Is narrowleaf globemallow toxic? None ### What is narrowleaf globemallow's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Rattlesnake Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rattlesnake-springs-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Narrowleaf Globemallow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/narrowleaf-globemallow)