Globemallow, Prairie mallow, Red false mallow, Scarlet mallow
Sphaeralcea coccinea

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 15-45 cm high and spreads 15-30 cm wide. It is well branched and keeps growing from year to year. The stems often lie along the ground and form mats. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaves are divided long the stalk. These divisions are forked or lobed and have soft hairs. The leaves have a rough texture and are grey-green. The flowers are orange-red. They are 12-20 mm across. They occur in short, dense leafy spikes. The fruit is dry and has segments with a few seeds.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in light sandy soil in dry prairie. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The root is used to make a drink.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cristatia coccinea (Nutt.) Pursh; Malva coccinea Nutt.; Malvastrum coccineum (Nutt.) A. Gray; Sida coccinea (Nutt.) DC.; and others