Gooseberryleaf globemallow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gooseberryleaf globemallow |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sphaeralcea
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| Species: |
grossulariifolia
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The Gooseberryleaf Globemallow (Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia) is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the mallow family, which includes many well-known plants like cotton and hibiscus. You can find this plant growing naturally in the western United States, especially in the Great Basin area. It likes to grow in places like sagebrush fields, forests, dry lakebeds called playas, and the canyons near the upper Colorado River. It often pops up in areas that have been recently changed, like after a wildfire.
What Does It Look Like?
The Gooseberryleaf Globemallow is a plant that lives for many years. It grows straight stems that can reach up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. These stems grow from a strong, woody base.
Roots and Stems
This plant has a very strong root system. It has a thick, tough taproot that goes deep into the ground. It also has many smaller, spreading roots that help it get water and nutrients from the soil. The plant's stems and leaves often feel woolly, like soft fuzz. They can be gray-green or even a bit purplish in color. Sometimes, you might find plants that are smooth and don't have this woolly texture.
Leaves
The leaves of the Gooseberryleaf Globemallow are usually about 3.5 centimeters long. They have three main sections, or lobes, and their edges can be jagged or slightly wavy. The plant's name, "gooseberryleaf," comes from how its leaves sometimes look like those of gooseberry plants. Gooseberries are small, tart fruits that grow on bushes.
Flowers and Pollination
The flowers of this plant grow in a cluster that looks like a raceme. Each flower has five petals that are a bright red-orange color. These petals are usually 1 to 2 centimeters long. Many different kinds of bees love to visit these flowers. Some wasps, especially those from the Ammoplanus group, also help to pollinate the flowers. This means they help the plant make seeds by carrying pollen from one flower to another.
