Sphaeralcea incana

Sphaeralcea incana, with the common names gray globemallow and soft globemallow, is a desert plant in the mallow family (Malvaceae). The plant is native to Chihuahuan Desert and Sonoran Desert ecoregions of the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is found in the states of Arizona, Chihuahua, New Mexico, Sonora, and Texas. Sphaeralcea incana is a perennial subshrub with a large taproot. It has several to many erect stems, emerging from a stout woody crown, growing 3–6 feet (0.91–1.83 m) in height. The gray leaves are very dense with short scurfy hairs. The flowers are a brilliant orange, appearing from June through October. There are also pink, and white, flowering forms. In some locales the plants can form 'carpets of flowers' after a heavy winter rainy season. Subspecies include: The plant's flowers are of special value to native species of bees and butterflies. Sphaeralcea incana has been used as a medicinal plant, traditionally by Native Americans, and by others. The Hopi peoples traditionally used the plant to treat diarrhea.