Globemallow (Sphaeralcea munroana) is a large perennial “sub shrub” native to Central Oregon. This rugged native is an excellent way to add the color orange to your desert landscape. The wonderful bowl-shaped flowers range in color from a lighter Apricot to a darker red-orange. The attractive orange color was favored by the people of the Gosiute tribe and used to make paint. Flowers have 5 petals and grow in clusters that bloom from May all the way through August. The pollination services of native bees are required for optimal production. The leaves are fuzzy, pale whitish green in color and have triangular blades with large lobes and a toothed margin. Globemallow grows from a thick root system with an erect stem and many branches. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
Globemallow is an important forage source for a number of rodents, rabbits, deer and antelope. It supports many ground nesting bees, including native sunflower bees. Globemallow is adapted to a wide range of soil types, but requires lots of sunlight to truly thrive. Globemallow establishes well in harsh conditions and is used in reclamation and erosion control projects. Seeds need scaring and 6 weeks of cold stratification to germinate. Sphaeralcea munroana is native to the Western U.S. It can be found growing in the Great Basin region and surrounding areas, as well as East of the Cascades. It grows from 3,500 to 9,000 feet in elevation and is found in different habitats including sagebrush, desert flats and mountain slopes.
