Sphaeralcea ambigua     
Globe mallow   
Malvaceae Family     

Sphaeralcea ambigua

Form: loose, shrubby, herbaceous perennial; stems form open vase
Seasonality: perennial
Size: 3ft, spread with age to 2-3ft
Leaves: gray-green, pubescent, deeply lobed; number of lobes varies (usually 3-5) as does serration
Flowers: small cup-shaped flower along upright stems; orange, red, purple or white
Fruit: brown capsule containing numerous dark seeds
Stems/Trunks: stems originate from center point of plant
Range/Origin: southwest US; officially to elevation of 3500ft, but known to naturalize up to 5000ft or more
Hardiness: below 32°F

	LANDSCAPE VALUE: revegetation perennial groupings (best in back) containers
leaf detail		dry seed pods

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun
• Water: natural rainfall; supplemental water will increasing flowering
• Soil: tolerant, good drainage
• Propagation: easy by seed; tricky by vegetative cuttings, best results from first flush of new spring growth
• Maintenance: low, periodically cut back to keep vegetative look

NOTES:

number of stems on plant increases with age
the leaf fuzziness is an irritant to some people
in revegitative seed mixes, use low concentrations of Sphaeralcea ambigua because it tends to take over

	views of blooms on Sphaeralcea ambigua

return to common name index				return to Botanical name index
	browse by common name				browse by botanical name

This page was first created August 15, 2001 and last modified June 1, 2006.

---

Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

© 200 1 - 2005 Arizona Board of Regents. All contents copyrighted. All rights reserved.