Scarlet Mallow (Sphaeralcea cocciniea)
Family Malvaceae
Rarity Status
Common
Origin
Native to North America
Synonyms
Malvastrum coccineum. Also known as Globe Mallow, Scarlet Globemallow, Caliche Globemallow.
Identification:
Scarlet Mallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) is a low-growing biennial plant that grows 10 to 20 cm (occasionally 30 cm) tall and comes from extensive, creeping rhizomes that form clumps or mats. Stems are usually reclining or erect and may have a woody base. Both stems and leaves are pale greyish-green.
The leaves are greyish-green with star-shaped hairs. They are 3-divided and 2 to 5 cm long. The divisions are cleft again into 2 to 3 lobes and wedge-shaped at the base.
The flowers are in spikes or short terminal racemes, with leaf-like bracts (especially lower) having star-shaped hairs. The corolla is saucer-shaped with brick-red petals that fade to pale orange with maturity. These showy and fragrant flowers are around 10 to 25 mm in diameter.
Blooming Period
Commonly blooms (in Western Canada) from June to August. Rarely blooms in the fall except in the furthest southern areas of the province.
Similar Species
No similar species in Western Canada.
Where to Find This Plant
S. coccinea is common in the prairie and southernmost parkland regions and occasionally in the southern foothills. It prefers dry, open grasslands and sites with light gravelly limestone or sandy-clay soil. It has a high tolerance to high-calcium soils. It thrives in full sun and needs little water to survive.
Value to Livestock & Wildlife
Conventional standards consider scarlet mallow’s forage value poor and unpalatable. However, deer and pronghorn will graze this plant for medicinal benefit, as it is rich in Vitamin A.
S. coccinea also attracts pollinators such as the Small Checkered Skipper (Pygrus scripture).
Suitability/Use for Reclamation:
S. coccinea has some potential due to its rhizomatous root system and as an attractant to native pollinators.
Toxic, Edible, Medicinal, and Cultural Uses
The Blackfoot people chewed this plant into a paste to treat scalds, sores, burns and wounds, acting as a cooling agent. The paste from this plant was also used by medicine men, who would coat their hands and arms in it and reach into boiling water to display their supernatural powers. It was also used as a tea for lotion for skin diseases, a tonic to improve appetite, and for rabies. Crushed leaves were used as poultices for skin irritations. The same crushed leaves were used as a shoe liner for blistered feet. It was also sed by indigenous people for treating sore eyes.
Other Fascinating Information:
S. coccinea is best noted as an early successional species due to its habit of quickly establishing itself on regional disturbances.
It tends to increase under heavy grazing. The creeping growth habit, poor palatability, and ability to do well on 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.
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