Sphaeralcea ambigua

Shrubby and woolly, this perennial grows 3-5 ft. It has numerous large, apricot-orange flowers in wand-like clusters near the tips of weak, wide-ranging, sometimes sprawling stems. The broad leaves have three lobes and rounded, scalloped edges. This grayish plant often has many limbs and bright orange-red flowers in clusters with erect branches.

One of the largest-flowered, most drought-tolerant species of Globe-mallow, it forms spectacular displays in the low, hot southwestern deserts in wet years. In some forms, its petals are pale, purplish-pink.

Butterfly Host Plant: Texas Powdered-Skipper (Systasea pulverulenta); Common Streaky Skipper (Celotes nessus)

BONAP MAP

Height: 3’-5’
Spread: 2’-4’
Bloom: February-November
Light: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Southwestern U.S.