Description
Globemallow “Colors”
Sphaeralcea ambigua.
- Desert globemallow, generally orange in flower color, occurs from Tucson northward about 70 miles in a variety of pinks, purples, whites, and the occasional scarlet red. The species name is derived from this ambiguity of flower color.
- The multicolored plants are smaller, the leaves more fine than the rather coarse orange desert globemallow.
- Beside the beauty, desert tortoises favor globemallow as food. This multi-stemmed mallow is a good source of pollen and nectar for honey bees.
- Plants are usually 2-4 feet tall with blooms in shades of pink and lavender. Plant in autumn to early spring.
