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Sidalcea malviflora - (DC.)A.Gray. ex Benth.

Common Name Checkerbloom, Dwarf checkerbloom, California checkerbloom, Siskiyou checkerbloom
Family Malvaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grassy slopes and open forest glades[200].
Range South-western N. America - Oregon to Baja California.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Sidalcea malviflora Checkerbloom, Dwarf checkerbloom, California checkerbloom, Siskiyou checkerbloom


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Sidalcea malviflora Checkerbloom, Dwarf checkerbloom, California checkerbloom, Siskiyou checkerbloom
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Sidalcea malviflora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

basionym: Sida malviflora

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves have a very mild flavour and a slightly mucilaginous texture, they make a very acceptable salad[K]. The leaves can be cooked as greens[257]. The dried mashed leaves have been used as a flavouring with black manzanita berries (Arctostaphyllos spp)[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
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Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

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PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a deep fertile well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in full sun or with some shade at the hottest part of the day[200]. This species thrives in climates with a relatively cool summer and mild winters and tolerates temperatures down to about -15°c[200]. However, where prolonged cold temperatures are experienced without snow cover, it is best to mulch the plants well in winter with material such as bracken litter[200]. If the plants are cut back immediately after flowering they will usually produce a second flush of bloom in late summer[200]. The flowers last well when they are cut for indoor use[200]. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Oregon (south), California), Mexico (Baja (north))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Sidalcea acuta Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM111
Sidalcea neomexicanaNew Mexico Prairie Mallow, Salt spring checkerbloom, Thurber's checkerbloomPerennial0.8 0-0  LMHSNMWe11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(DC.)A.Gray. ex Benth.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

david   Fri Jul 31 2009

Most cultivars are now believed to be hybrids with other species (Botannica p841), it may be that some of the "cultivars" are not edible if they are crossed with other species.

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