Photo Credits: Terry Wright, USFWS

Scarlet globemallow or Red falsemallow is a perennial, low growing forb usually four to twelve inches tall from a stout taproot.

• Leaves are alternate, pinnate (compound leaf with leaflets arranged on opposite sides of the axis) parted and look a grayish-green in color. Plants are covered with stellate (star like), silvery hairs.
• Inflorescence (flowering part of the plant) consists of clustered orange-salmon to brick red flowers with five petals, and three bracts.
• Style is surrounded by many stamens (male reproductive organ on a flower). The fruit is a five carpellate hesperidium (separate wedges like an orange), with singular seed compartments.

Scarlet globemallow is drought resistant and can be found in dry uplands and roadsides. It is palatable among deer, pronghorn and some livestock.

Medicinal uses consisted of Native Americans chewing the plant into a paste to coat their hands and arms to prevent scalding their flesh, while picking meat from hot scalding water. The Cheyenne Contrary Society used it in ceremonies, also made a tea to mix with bad tasting medicine to kill the bad flavor. Scientists have found recently the Scarlet globemallow is high in vitamin A and so they continue the research.

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connect with the U.S. Dept Agriculture Plant Data Base

Last Updated: 2/23/10

Blooming Times On The Refuge

April-June: Sand lily

May-June: Ball cactus, Prickly pear

May-July: Scarlet butterfly weed, Prairie evening primrose, Blanket flower, Low daisy

May-August: Blue flax, Wine cup

June-August: Rocky Mountain beeplant, Wavy leaved thistle, Blazing star

June-September: Prairie coneflower, Hairy golden aster, Evening star, Sunflower, Scarlet globemallow

July-September: Black eyed susan, Purple prairie aster

NORTHERN PRAIRIE WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER