# 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. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Desert ![Small-leaf Globemallow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2016.05.27_14.59.16_IMG_5925_-_Flickr_-_andrey_zharkikh.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016.05.27_14.59.16_IMG_5925_-_Flickr_-_andrey_zharkikh.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Malvales - **Family:** Malvaceae - **Genus:** Sphaeralcea ## 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 - **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. - **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. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [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. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## 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 to identify Small-leaf 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Chaco Culture National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chaco-culture-national-historical-park) — New Mexico, US · National Park - [Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/navajo-nation-zoological-and-botanical-park) — Arizona, US · Zoo ## 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: [Small-leaf Globemallow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-leaf-globemallow)