Sphaeralcea angustifolia
Narrow-leaved globemallow, Narrow-Leaved Globemallow
(c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Sphaeralcea angustifolia (Narrow-leaved globemallow) is a native California subshrub in the Malvaceae family, recognized by distinctive narrow linear leaves.
Narrow-leaved globemallow is a native shrub found in the Mojave and northern Colorado Desert regions in desert scrub habitats at elevations of 6 to 500 meters. Flowering from March to October, this plant produces stunning red-orange flowers 7 to 9 millimeters long with yellow anthers. Growing as an erect, canescent subshrub 50 to 150 centimeters tall with light gray-green foliage, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are lance-linear, 15 to 48 millimeters long, with subtle veining and edges that range from entire to wavy-crenate. The fruit develops segments 4 to 7 millimeters long, each containing two brown-black hairy seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 7 species; distinctive narrow linear leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub
Elevation: -6-500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, San Diego
Outside California: to Kansas, Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Sphaeralcea angustifolia blooms Mar-Oct.
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 angustifolia native to California?
Yes. Sphaeralcea angustifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sphaeralcea angustifolia bloom?
Sphaeralcea angustifolia blooms Mar-Oct.
Where in California does Sphaeralcea angustifolia grow?
Sphaeralcea angustifolia occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, San Diego, at elevations of -6-500 m.
What plant family does Sphaeralcea angustifolia belong to?
Sphaeralcea angustifolia is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sphaeralcea.
What habitat does Sphaeralcea angustifolia grow in?
Sphaeralcea angustifolia grows in Desert scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.