Sphaeralcea sp.
Globemallow, Globemallow
(c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by W. Terry Hunefeld · licence
Family: Malvaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Sphaeralcea sp. (Globemallow) is a native California perennial in the Malvaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Sphaeralcea sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Sphaeralcea sp. belong to?
Sphaeralcea sp. is in the Malvaceae family, genus Sphaeralcea.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sphaeralcea ambigua — Apricot mallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. ambigua — Apricot mallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea — Parish mallow
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rugosa — Roughleaf apricot mallow
- Sphaeralcea angustifolia — Narrow-leaved globemallow
- Sphaeralcea coulteri — Coulter's globemallow
- Abutilon abutiloides — Shrubby abutilon
- Abutilon grandifolium — Hairy abutilon
- Abutilon incanum — Pelotazo
- Abutilon palmeri — Palmer's abutilon
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.