ExplorePlants

Small-leaf Globemallow

Sphaeralcea parvifolia

The Small-leaf Globemallow is a cheerful flower with bright orange blooms. It grows in sunny places and attracts butterflies and bees, making it a favorite in gardens and wild areas.

Habitat: Desert

Appearance

The Small-leaf Globemallow is a vibrant plant, typically showcasing bright orange, cup-shaped flowers that often form a dense, globe-like cluster. Its small, silvery-green leaves are covered in fine, star-shaped hairs, giving the plant a soft, fuzzy appearance distinct from many other desert flora.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusSphaeralcea
Small-leaf Globemallow
flowering trait badgeshrub trait badgesummer_blooming trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
Small-leaf Globemallow

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its genus name, Sphaeralcea, means "globe mallow" because its flowers often form a round shape!

Native Americans sometimes used its mashed roots as a natural "bandage" or poultice for minor injuries!

The brilliant orange flowers are a beacon for many different types of bees and butterflies in the desert!

This tough plant can grow in very rocky, poor soil where many other plants would struggle to survive!

Special abilities

Ability

Water Wisdom

Small-leaf Globemallow has tiny, star-shaped hairs on its leaves that reflect sunlight and trap moisture, helping it survive in super dry places.

Ability

Deep Drinker

Small-leaf Globemallow can grow a long taproot that reaches deep into the soil to find precious water, keeping it hydrated when rain is scarce.

Ability

Survivor Seeds

Small-leaf Globemallow produces tough seeds that can stay dormant in the soil for years, waiting for the perfect conditions to sprout.

Measurements & details

Height
30-100 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
2-4 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Bordered Patch

Chlosyne lacinia

Caterpillars feed on its leaves and stems.

eaten by

Merriam's Kangaroo Rat

Dipodomys merriami

Consumes its seeds, aiding in dispersal.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't pick flowers, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Small-leaf Globemallow?

30-100 cm

How wide does Small-leaf Globemallow spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on Small-leaf Globemallow?

2-4 cm

When does Small-leaf Globemallow bloom?

Spring to fall

Is Small-leaf Globemallow edible?

Yes

Is Small-leaf Globemallow toxic?

None

What is Small-leaf Globemallow's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Small-leaf Globemallow pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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