Globe Mallow (6)
Globemallows, the genus Sphaeralcea, in this area usually have five orange petals forming a cup or saucer shaped flower. The foliage is covered with star-shaped hairs giving it a grey-green appearance. The location and shape of the leaves differentiate the species.
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Scarlet Globemallow Family:
Mallow (Malvaceae) Grows from 4" to 16" in large patches, usually about 8" high. Leaves are deeply divided into three or five then divided again. Sometimes the edges fold in making them appear narrower. Flowers grow in a dense cluster at the top of the branches. The plant below was in Huerfano County in Eastern Colorado.
Flora of North America reference. |
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Gray Globemallow Family:
Mallow (Malvaceae) Grows to 3 feet with 3-lobed, greyish leaves and less congested, lighter orange flowers.
Flora of North America reference. |
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Small-leaf Globemallow Family:
Mallow (Malvaceae) Grows to 2 feet usually but can be taller, with greyish, triangular, wavy-edged leaves. Flowers are ½" to ¾" across.
Flora of North America reference. |
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Gooseberry-leaf Globemallow Family:
Mallow (Malvaceae) Grows 1 to 3 feet high. Flowers grow on short stems along the length of the branches (not apparent in this photo). Leaves are up to 3" long and covered in hairs giving a greyish appearance. They are deeply divided into lobes and the lobes are divided again, similar to Scarlet Globemallow. Flora of North America reference. |
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Fendler's Globemallow Family:
Mallow (Malvaceae) Grows to 4 feet tall and can become shrub-like. Leaves are divided into two smaller side lobes and a larger central lobe, all with scalloped edges and appear more green than the other Globemallows. Flowers are over 1" across and less cup-like than the other Globemallows. Flora of North America reference.
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Spear Globemallow Family:
Mallow (Malvaceae) Growing to 3ft high with distinctive spear-shaped leaves. Flowers about ½" across and not as congested on the stem as other Globemallows. Flora of North America reference. |
