Species

Forb Species

Scarlet Mallow – Sphaeralcea cocciniea [Nuttall] Rydb. var. cocciniea

Family Malvaceae

Photo Gallery

Close-up of S. coccinea leaf

Synonyms & Other Names

Synonyms:

  • Cristaria cocciniea (Nuttall) Pursch nom. illeg.
  • Malva coccinea Nuttall
  • Malvastrum coccineum (Nuttall) A. Gray
  • Malvastrum coccinum var. dissectum (Nuttall ex Torrey & A. Gray) A. Gray
  • Malvastrum cockerellii A. Nelson
  • Malvastrum dissectum var. cockerellii (A. Nelson) A. Nelson
  • Malveopsis coccinea (Nuttall) Kuntze
  • Nototriche coccinea (Nuttall) Nieuwland & Lunell nom. illeg.
  • Sida coccinea (Nuttall) de Candolle
  • Sida dissecta Nuttall ex Torrey & A. Gray
  • Sphaeralcea coccinea subsp. dissecta (Nuttall ex Torry & A. Gray) Kearney
  • Sphaeralcea coccinea var. dissecta (Nuttall ex Torrey & A. Gray) Kearney
  • Sphaeralcea dissecta Nuttall ex Torrey & A. Gray

Other common names:

  • Scarlet Globemallow
  • Red False Globemallow
  • Copper Mallow
  • Cowboy’s Delight
  • Scarlet Globemallow
  • Prairie Mallow
  • Caliche Globemallow

Origin & Status

Common. Native to North America.

Life Cycle

Perennial.

Key Characteristics to Note

In Alberta, very few species have bright orange to reddish-orange, five-petalled flowers that are 1 to 2.5 cm wide. Leaves are palmate and deeply cut with three to five primary wedge-shaped segments and 2 to 5 cm long. Star-shaped hairs are found on stems and leaves.

When & Where to Find This Plant

S. coccinea is most commonly found in the open grasslands of the Prairie Ecoregion. It prefers dry grasslands of Hesperostipa–Bouteloua (speargrass and blue grama), Hesperostipa-Elymus-Bouteloua (speargrass, thickspike [northern] wheatgrass and blue grama), and solonetzic Hesperostipa-Pascopyrum (speargrass and western wheatgrass) plant communities. It does not like saline Distichlis-Pascopyrum-Hordeum (salt grass, western wheatgrass, and foxtail barley) or vegetative sand dune plant communities.

Rarely is it found outside of the prairie grasslands; however, some reports claim it has been found in the Parkland Ecoregion and occasionally in the southern Foothills Ecoregion. I have yet to find S. cocciniea in either of those regions; however, it is plausible that it will occur there, but only in the driest, most exposed places that are the most prone to drought conditions.

S. cocciniea is also found on disturbed sites: along roadsides and other areas where the soil was disturbed, including near ground squirrel holes.

It commonly blooms from May to July, occasionally into July or August. Rarely does it bloom in the fall except in the very southern parts of the Canadian prairies, right up to the USA border.

Interesting Facts 

S. coccinea is best noted as an early successional species due to its habit of quickly establishing itself on regional disturbances.

Conventional standards consider scarlet mallow’s forage value poor and unpalatable. The creeping growth habit, poor palatability, and ability to thrive in poor soils and dry locations ensure its survival and success. It will decrease under light to no grazing due largely to the competition from grasses and other forbs.

However, plenty of grazing herbivores like cattle, bison, sheep, deer and pronghorn will graze this plant for medicinal benefit, as it is rich in Vitamin A and low in calcium and magnesium. It is also a staple for black-tailed prairie dogs.

S. coccinea also attracts pollinators such as the Small Checkered Skipper (Pygrus scripture).

Sources for More Information

iNaturalist – Scarlet Globemallow – https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/126671-Sphaeralcea-coccinea

Lady Bird Johnson – Sphaeralcea coccinea var. coccinea – https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SPCOC

USDA Forest Service – Sphaeralcea coccinea – https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/forb/sphcoc/all.html