Registration of ARS-2936 scarlet globemallow germplasm

SCARLET GLOBEMALLOW (Sphaeraicea coccinea (Pursh) Rydb.), ARS-2936, Reg. no. GP-4, PI 564590, is a native, perennial. herbaceous species of Malvaceae widely distributed in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains rangelands of the western USA (4). This species is characterized by widely spreading rhizomes, brick-red petals, and a dense, short, raceme-like inflorescence, and stellate trichomes. Flowers are attractive and plants bloom from May to July or longer with favorable moisture (5). Leaves are palmately veined with the lobes coarsely toothed. Plant height is less than 30 cm and commonly is less than 20 cm. Scarlet globemallow often is found in foothill habitats with sandy or gravelly soils, open flats, talus slopes, along roadsides and generally in arid places (2). Where it occurs, scarlet globemallow is an important rangeland dietary component of small mammals, pronghorn, sheep, and cattle (1).