Description
Sphaeralcea coccinea,
Scarlet Globemallow (Native)
Perennial, ½ – 1 ft. tall forb with creeping rhizomes. Blooms in spring with numerous showy orange/red blossoms. Most common in the low rainfall areas of the Intermountain West, Great Basin, Rocky Mts. and Great Plains regions. Grows at elevations from 3,000 – 9,000 ft. on precip. zones from 6 – 20 inches. Adapted to a wide range of soil types and textures and moderately alkali and saline soils. Very cold-hardy and drought-tolerant. Forage value and palatability for many species of wildlife is rated as fair to excellent including a very important food for sage grouse. Palatability for large animals, wild and domestic varies. Provides excellent ground cover on disturbed sites for erosion control. Extremely valuable native forb for restoration of semi-arid disturbed lands in the west. Also valuable for low-water use landscaping. Plant in fall ¼ – ½ inch deep. Usually sold with thick, leathery carpel attached to seed for positive identification of the species. 400,000 seeds/lb.
USDA: Plant Profile | Plant Guide
