Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea
Parish mallow, Parish Mallow
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea (Parish mallow) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by unique pink-lavender petals.
Parish mallow is a California native shrub found in southern desert regions, particularly in Desert areas at elevations of 150 to 800 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces lavender to pink flowers with distinctive purple-gray anthers. Growing with an upright habit and reaching moderate shrub size, it develops a sturdy structure characteristic of desert plants. Its leaves are not markedly wrinkled, presenting a smooth surface typical of drought-adapted vegetation. The fruit has a dehiscent segment covering approximately 60 percent of its surface, reflecting its adaptive desert characteristics.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 7 species; unique pink-lavender petals are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub
Elevation: 150-800 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Mono, Los Angeles, Orange
Outside California: Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea blooms Mar-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Malacothamnus: Sphaeralcea flowers face outward in open panicles; Malacothamnus flowers are tucked closer to stems in denser clusters.; vs Abutilon: Sphaeralcea has 1-3 small bracts (even if fallen); Abutilon completely lacks any bracts beneath flowers.; vs Malva: Sphaeralcea has salmon-orange flowers and net-veined fruit base; Malva has pink-purple flowers and smooth fruits throughout.; vs Hibiscus: Sphaeralcea has small flowers and inconspicuous bracts; Hibiscus has very large flowers and prominent persistent bracts.; vs Eriogonum: Sphaeralcea has typical mallow flowers with fused stamen column; Eriogonum has tiny flowers in heads with papery bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea native to California?
Yes. Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea bloom?
Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea grow?
Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, Mono, Los Angeles, Orange, at elevations of 150-800 m.
What plant family does Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea belong to?
Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sphaeralcea.
What habitat does Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea grow in?
Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea grows in Desert scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rugosa — Roughleaf apricot mallow
- Sphaeralcea angustifolia — Narrow-leaved globemallow
- Sphaeralcea coulteri — Coulter's globemallow
- Sphaeralcea emoryi var. emoryi — Emory's globemallow
- Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia — Gooseberry-leaved globemallow
- Sphaeralcea munroana — Munro's desert-mallow
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.