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Summary

Sphaeralcea angustifolia is an erect, perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody, especially near the base; it usually grows around 60 - 200cm tall, occasionally smaller[270 ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens[200 ]. Narrowleaf globemallow has limited historical food use, mostly as chewed mucilaginous stems or seeds of questionable quality. Flowers are more pleasant but slimy, and safety concerns from irritating hairs further reduce its value. Overall, this species is better appreciated as a native desert ornamental than as a dependable food plant. Sphaeralcea species are somewhat difficult to identify. The species boundaries are not always sharp because there is frequent hybridization, polyploidy, and morphological variation in response to environmental conditions, particularly rainfall. Plants growing in Arizona are particularly difficult to identify[270 ].

Physical Characteristics

Sphaeralcea angustifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.3 m (4ft 3in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.
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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Homotypic Synonyms: Malva angustifolia Cav. Malvastrum angustifolium (Cav.) Hemsl. Malveopsis angustifolia (Cav.) Kuntze. Sphaeroma angustifolium (Cav.) Schltdl. Accepted Infraspecifics: S. angustifolia var. angustifolia. S. angustifolia var. oblongifolia (A.Gray) Shinners.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Seed - used for food[257 ]. Narrowleaf globemallow is a widespread desert plant, easily recognized by its narrow leaves and showy orange flowers. References to its edibility are limited, and like other globemallows, it is best regarded as a marginal food resource with notable cautions [2-3].The Hopi Indians of northeastern Arizona were reported to chew the mucilaginous stems of this species like gum. While this suggests some traditional use, the stems and other vegetative parts are coated with irritating hairs that can inflame the eyes, skin, and lungs. The mucilage itself is harmless, but handling or chewing raw stems presents safety issues [2-3]. Native Americans occasionally ate seeds of globemallows in general, but they are small, bitter, and enclosed in crunchy shells that are difficult to process. Cooking fails to improve the flavor, and the dust created by winnowing can be irritating. Flowers, though not widely reported as edible, are better-tasting than the seeds. As with desert globemallow, only the petals, stamens, and pistils should be eaten, as other parts are covered in irritating hairs. The flowers have a brief sweetness but a slimy texture due to mucilage [2-3]. Caution: Narrowleaf globemallow, like all members of the genus, has irritating hairs that limit its safe use as food [2-3].

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.

The plant is used as a remedy for coughs, colds and influenza[257 ]. A decoction of the leaves is used as a treatment for diarrhoea[257 ]. A decoction of the root is used to treat billiousness[257 ]. A poultice of the pulverized roots is used to treat snakebites and purulent sores[257 ]. (As Sphaeralcea lobata - see nomenclature notes above) Sphaeralcea species are good sources of mucilage in the form of mucopolysaccharide starches. This has been shown to stimulate macrophage activity and help promote healing and resistance, especially in the skin, upper intestinal tract, urinary tract and lungs[1152 ]. The whole plant is demulcent and emollient[1152 ]. Taken internally, it can be used to soothe sore throats and irritations along the digestive tract, urinary tract etc. Applied externally, it can be used to soothe and promote healing of cuts, burns, wounds etc[1152 ].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The plant is a rich source of mucilage. An infusion is often used as a hair rinse after shampooing, when it is said to give the hair body. A strong infusion will curl the hair if it is not rinsed out[1152 ]. The dried root skin is pounded to a powder, mixed with water and used as a face paint[257 ]. The root sap is used as a glue[257 ].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Sphaeralcea species from western N. America are generally species of warm, dry and very freely draining habitats. It grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome. They are often tolerant of very low winter temperatures but, like many species with downy leaves, they are not very tolerant of winter wet and will often fail to overwinter in mild but wet winter areas[200 ]. Species in this genus generally require a warm, sunny position in a moderately fertile, freely-draining soil[200 ]. USDA Hardiness Zone: 6–9 (adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions). Weed Potential: Narrowleaf globemallow is not considered invasive, but it is common and often thrives in disturbed desert soils, making it a persistent native.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seed coat and benefits from either autumn sowing or scarification of stored seed[277 ]. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Softwood cuttings in a frame in early summer[200 ]. Division[200 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Narrowleaf or Copper Globemallow.

Native Range

Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah. Introduced into: Maryland.

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.

Narrowleaf globemallow is not considered invasive, but it is common and often thrives in disturbed desert soils, making it a persistent native.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Sphaeralcea ambigua	Apricot Mallow	Perennial	0.7	6-9		LMH	N	DM	1	2	2

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.

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Author

(Cav.) G. Don

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Sphaeralcea angustifolia - (Cav.) G. Don