Dwarf checkerbloom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwarf checkerbloom |
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| Sidalcea malviflora ssp. malviflora | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sidalcea
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| Species: |
malviflora
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The Sidalcea malviflora is a pretty flowering plant. It belongs to the mallow family. People call it by many names, like dwarf checkerbloom or prairie mallow.
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Where Does It Grow?
This plant grows naturally along the West Coast of the United States. You can find it from Washington down to California. It also grows in northwestern Baja California in Mexico. It likes places like chaparral (a type of shrubland) and coastal sage scrub. These are its natural homes, or habitats.
What Does It Look Like?
The Sidalcea malviflora can look a bit different depending on where it grows. There are many types, called subspecies. Generally, it is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from a woody base and underground stems. Its main stem can grow up to about 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) tall.
The plant can be a little bit hairy or very hairy. Its leaves have different shapes. They are often deeply cut into several parts. The flowers grow in a group, either close together or spread out. Each flower has five petals. They are usually bright to dark pink. You might see white lines on the petals. Each petal can be from one to over three centimeters long.
Different Types of Sidalcea malviflora
There are more than ten different types, or subspecies, of Sidalcea malviflora. Some of these types only grow in one special place. This is called being endemic. Here are a few examples:
- Sidalcea malviflora ssp. californica — This one is called California checkerbloom.
- Sidalcea malviflora ssp. dolosa — This type only grows in the San Bernardino Mountains.
- Sidalcea malviflora ssp. laciniata
- Sidalcea malviflora ssp. malviflora — This is known as Checker mallow.
- Sidalcea malviflora ssp. patula — This type, called Siskiyou checkerbloom, only grows in far northwestern California and southwestern Oregon.
- Sidalcea malviflora ssp. purpurea — This one, the Purple-stemmed checkerbloom, only grows along the California coast. It is found just north of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Growing Sidalcea malviflora
People often grow Sidalcea malviflora in their gardens. It is a beautiful ornamental plant. It is also good for native plant gardens. These gardens use plants that naturally grow in the area. It is also good for water conserving gardens. This means it does not need a lot of water. It is also great for wildlife gardens, which help local animals.
Gardeners have chosen special types of this plant, called Cultivars. They pick them for their flower colors or size. Some popular types include:
- Sidalcea malviflora 'Little Princess'
- Sidalcea malviflora 'Palustre' — This type grows more compactly and has more flowers.
- Sidalcea malviflora 'Party Girl'
- Sidalcea malviflora 'Rosanna'
Plant Ecology
The Sidalcea malviflora plant is important for some insects. It is a larval host for the West Coast lady butterfly. This means the caterpillars of the West Coast lady butterfly eat the leaves of this plant to grow.
