Sphaeralcea ambigua, commonly known as desert globemallow, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Here are some key details about the plant:

Description:

Height: Typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall.

Leaves: The leaves are gray-green, deeply lobed, and covered in fine hairs, giving them a soft, velvety texture.

Flowers: The flowers are bright orange or apricot in color, with five petals. They bloom from spring to early summer, attracting a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

Stems: The stems are also covered in fine hairs and can give the plant a silvery appearance.

Habitat:

Native Range: Sphaeralcea ambigua is native to the deserts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of northern Mexico.

Preferred Soil: It thrives in well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils.

Sunlight: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.

Uses:

Ecological: Provides habitat and food for pollinators.

Ornamental: Used in xeriscaping and desert landscaping due to its drought tolerance and vibrant flowers.

Traditional Medicine: Indigenous peoples have used it for various medicinal purposes, such as treating colds and inflammation.

Cultivation:

Watering: Requires minimal watering once established, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardens.

Propagation: Can be grown from seeds, which should be scarified or soaked before planting to improve germination rates.

Benefits:

Drought Tolerance: Highly drought-tolerant, suitable for arid environments and reducing water usage in landscaping.

Pollinator Support: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting local biodiversity.

Aesthetic Appeal: The bright, showy flowers add vibrant color to gardens and landscapes.

Sphaeralcea ambigua is a resilient and beautiful plant that is well-suited to desert and drought-prone areas, making it a valuable addition to sustainable landscaping practices.

 

Growing instructions for the Desert Globemallow

 

The seeds have a hard seed coat that has to be treated, or scarified, in order for water to enter the seeds so that they can sprout. 1. Scarify the seeds by nicking or sanding the seed coat. The seeds can be sanded with sandpaper, a nail file or an emery board. 2. Soak the seeds in water for several hours. 3. Put the seeds in a ziplock bag. 4. Put the bag in the refrigerator and leave it there for 30 days. 5. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. 6. Put the soil in a pot. 7. Sow the seeds on the soil. Cover them with a layer of soil. 8. Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. 9. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.