Globemallow
Encyclopedia
Sphaeralcea is a genus of flowering plant
s in the mallow family
(Malvaceae
). There are about 40-60 species
, including annual
s, perennial
s, and shrub
s. Most originate in the drier regions of North America
, with some known from South America
. They are commonly known as globemallows, globe mallows, or falsemallows. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek
words σφαῖρα (sphaira), meaning "sphere," and αλκεα (alkea), meaning "mallow."
The leaves
of these plants are spirally arranged, and usually palmate or toothed. Both stems and leaves are downy. Like other Malvaceae, the flower
s are saucer- or cup-shaped, with the stamen
s joined into a column in the center.
Sphaeralcea species are used as food plants by the larvae
of some Lepidoptera
species including Schinia olivacea
, which has been recorded on S. lindheimeri.
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
s in the mallow family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
(Malvaceae
Malvaceae
Malvaceae, or the mallow family, is a family of flowering plants containing over 200 genera with close to 2,300 species. Judd & al. Well known members of this family include okra, jute and cacao...
). There are about 40-60 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, including annual
Annual plant
An annual plant is a plant that usually germinates, flowers, and dies in a year or season. True annuals will only live longer than a year if they are prevented from setting seed...
s, perennial
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
s, and shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s. Most originate in the drier regions of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, with some known from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. They are commonly known as globemallows, globe mallows, or falsemallows. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
words σφαῖρα (sphaira), meaning "sphere," and αλκεα (alkea), meaning "mallow."
The leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
of these plants are spirally arranged, and usually palmate or toothed. Both stems and leaves are downy. Like other Malvaceae, the flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s are saucer- or cup-shaped, with the stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s joined into a column in the center.
Sphaeralcea species are used as food plants by the larvae
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
of some Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
species including Schinia olivacea
Schinia olivacea
Schinia olivacea is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in North America, including Texas.The wingspan is 21–24 mm.Larvae have been recorded on Hermannia texana and Sphaeralcea lindheimeri.-External links:**...
, which has been recorded on S. lindheimeri.
Selected species
- Sphaeralcea ambiguaSphaeralcea ambiguaSphaeralcea ambigua, commonly known as Desert Globemallow or Apricot Mallow, is a member of the genus Sphaeralcea in the mallow family ....
A.Gray – Desert Globemallow - Sphaeralcea angustifoliaSphaeralcea angustifoliaSphaeralcea angustifolia is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common names copper globemallow and narrowleaf globemallow. It is native to the southwestern United States as well as northern and central Mexico, where it grows in desert and plateau habitat. It produces...
(Cav.) G.Don – Copper Globemallow, Narrowleaf Desertmallow - Sphaeralcea bonariensis (Cav.) Griseb. – Latin Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea caespitosa M.E.Jones – Tufted Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea coccineaSphaeralcea coccineaSphaeralcea coccinea is a perennial plant growing 10–30 cm tall from spreading rhizomes with a low habit. They have grayish stems with dense, star-shaped hairs and alternately arranged leaves. The leaf blades are 2–5 cm long, palmately shaped, and deeply cut, with 3–5 main wedge-shaped segments....
(Nutt.) Rydb. – Scarlet Globemallow, Red Globemallow, Red Falsemallow - Sphaeralcea coulteriSphaeralcea coulteriSphaeralcea coulteri is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common name Coulter's globemallow. It is native to the Sonoran Desert, its distribution extending from northern Mexico north into California and Arizona. It is an annual herb, its slender, hairy stems sprawling...
(S.Watson) A.Gray – Coulter's Globemallow - Sphaeralcea digitata (Greene) Rydb. – Juniper Globemallow, Slippery Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea emoryiSphaeralcea emoryiSphaeralcea emoryi is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common name Emory's globemallow. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in desert habitat and sometimes disturbed areas such as roadsides. This globemallow can be similar...
Torr. ex A.Gray – Emory's Globemallow - Sphaeralcea fendleri A.Gray – Fendler's Globemallow, Thicket Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea gierischiiSphaeralcea gierischiiSphaeralcea gierischii is a rare species of globemallow native to the western United States. The species has only recently been described and only 9 populations are currently known, in Utah and Arizona. It is threatened by open-pit mining for gypsum, and in 2009 it was listed as a candidate for...
– Gierisch Mallow - Sphaeralcea grossulariifoliaSphaeralcea grossulariifoliaSphaeralcea grossulariifolia is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common name gooseberryleaf globemallow. It is native to the western United States, where it can be found in the Great Basin and surrounding regions. It grows in sagebrush, woodlands, playas, and the...
(Hook. & Arn.) Rydb. – Gooseberryleaf Globemallow, Currantleaf Globemallow - Sphaeralcea hastulata A.Gray – Spear Globemallow, Spreading Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea incanaSphaeralcea incanaSphaeralcea incana, Grey Globemallow, is a perennial Southwestern United States desert plant. It is also known as Soft Globemallow, Caliche Globemallow, and Sore Eye Mallow....
Torr. ex A.Gray – Grey Globemallow, Soft Globemallow, Caliche Globemallow, azeentliini - Sphaeralcea janeae (Welsh) Welsh – Jane's Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea leptophylla (A.Gray) Rydb. – Scaly Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea lindheimeri A.Gray – Woolly Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea munroanaSphaeralcea munroanaSphaeralcea munroana is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common name Munro's globemallow. It is native to the western United States, where it can be found in the Great Basin and surrounding regions. It grows in sagebrush, desert flats, and mountain slopes...
(Douglas ex Lindl.) Spach ex A.Gray – Munro's Globemallow, Whitestem Globemallow - Sphaeralcea nutans
- Sphaeralcea obtusiloba (Hook.) G.Don
- Sphaeralcea orcuttii Rose – Carrizo Creek Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea palmeri
- Sphaeralcea parvifolia A.Nelson – Smallflower Globemallow, Littleleaf Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea pedatifida (A.Gray) A.Gray – Palmleaf Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea philippiana
- Sphaeralcea polychroma La Duke – Hot Springs Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea procera – Luna County Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea psoraloides Welsh – Psoralea Globemallow
- Sphaeralcea rusbyiSphaeralcea rusbyiSphaeralcea rusbyi is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common name Rusby's globemallow. It is native to the southwestern United States, where it can be found in various types of desert habitat. The species is generally divided into three subtaxa which grow in separate...
A.Gray – Rusby's Globemallow, Cutleaf Globemallow - Sphaeralcea subhastata
- Sphaeralcea sulphurea
- Sphaeralcea wrightii A.Gray – Wright's Globemallow
Formerly placed here
- Iliamna rivularisIliamna rivularisIliamna rivularis, commonly called Kankakee Globe-Mallow or Peter's Mountain Mallow or Streambank Wild Hollyhock, is a perennial plant species in the family Malvaceae. The plant grows 3 to 6 feet tall from a woody caudex and produces dense racemes of soft lavender-pink flowers. Plants blooms from...
(Douglas) Greene (as S. acerifolia Torr. & A.Gray and S. rivularis (Douglas) Torr.) - Phymosia umbellataPhymosia umbellataPhymosia umbellata is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It is native to Mexico and is cultivated as an ornamental plant....
(Cav.) Kearney (as S. umbellata (Cav.) G.Don)