Desert Globemallow.
Sphaeralcea ambigua, Mallow Family ( Malvaceae ) Desert Globemallow. Also Called: Desert Mallow, Apricot Mallow, Desert Hollyhock, Mal de Ojo, Sore-eye Poppy, Pink Eye Flower.

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Sphaeralcea ambigua is a perennial herb, ( 2 are annuals ), often growing in large clumps.

Sphaeralcea ambigua grows up to about 3 feet in height, and spreads out to about 2 � 3 feet in width. Its leaves are fuzzy, deeply lobed, and on long stems, the number of which increase with age. The fruit is a brown capsule containing numerous seeds. The flowers are apricot to orange in color and bloom in the spring. Sometimes in the summer and fall.

Sphaeralcea ambigua, commonly known as Desert Globemallow or Apricot Mallow, is a member of the genus Sphaeralcea in the mallow family (Malvaceae).

It is a perennial shrub native to parts of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona in the U.S.; and Sonora and Baja California in Northwest Mexico. It grows well in alkaline soil, both sandy or clay, usually in the company of creosote bush scrub and desert chaparral habitats, from 490�8,200 feet in elevation. It is found in the Mojave Desert, Great Basin deserts, and Sonoran Desert ecoregions.

There are from 8 to 9 sub species of Sphaeralcea ambigua in Arizona.

There are 16 species of Globemallow -- genus Sphaeralcea -- in Arizona.

The star-shaped leaf hairs are an eye irritant to some people. Thus, the name Sore Eye Poppy or Pink Eye Flower.

Quick Notes:

Height: About 2 - 3 feet in height, 2 - 3 feet in width.

Flowers: Bright orange, but also occurs with white, yellow, light orange, red, pink, and purple flowers. Sometimes the same individual plant will have different color flowers (See Purple Variety Above.). Flowers have 5 petals up to about 1 1/2" in width. They appear in clusters at the upper part of the stems.

Stalk: Several erect, long stems, the number of which increase with age.

Flowering Time: Year - Round, Especially in February - April. They reflower from August to frost, in response to the summer rains.

Fruit: The globe - shaped seedpod, surrounded by the persistent calyx, separates at maturity into 7 to 22 kidneyshaped sections. Each section produces 1 to 3 kidney - shaped seeds.

Seeds: About 1/16 inch long, very dark brown.

Leaves: Green to gray - green, 3-lobed, scalloped-edged leaves. 0.5-2.5" long, ovate, 3 shallow lobes, scalloped edges. The leaves are alternate and palmately veined.

Found: Native to parts of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona in the U.S; and Sonora and Baja California in Northwest Mexico. Very common in the Phoenix and Tucson areas of Arizona.

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F)

Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Elevation: 490 Feet - 8,200 Feet.

Habitat: Chalky/alkaline/Clay, Dry, Sandy, Well-drained soils, usually in the company of creosote bush scrub and desert chaparral habitats. Also Hillsides, Roadsides, Flats, Sandy Plains. In towns they are largely confined to roadsides, borders of cultivated lands, fields, sidewalks, vacant lots, and drainage areas.

Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken March 16, 2005 near Lake Pleasant, Arizona.