Explore Plants
Native Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Marcus, Joseph A.
Sphaeralcea incana Torr. ex A. Gray
Gray globemallow
Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
USDA Symbol: spin2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Perennial with several to many erect stems from a stout woody crown and a large taproot, very densely yellowish-canescent with very short scurfy hairs. Grows to heights between 3 to 6 feet on grassy-rock slopes, sandy soils, among boulders and on gravely-clay flats in the Trans-Pecos.
Tall flower stems appear from bushy plants with an overall silver or gray-green appearance. The flower stems bare soft orange flowers. Foliage is greyish-green. Blooms June to October. Grows best in full sun.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Subshrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Size Notes: 3-5
Fruit:
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: OrangeBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low , MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Drought Tolerance: Medium , High
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Benefit
Use Medicinal: Grey Globemallow has been used for food and medicinal purposes by Native Americans and others. The top of the plant was made into a beverage or eaten. It is said to be nourishing and tasty. The roots and leaves are demulcent and emollient. People used a poultice of fresh crushed leaves for skin injuries or inflammations, or to line their shoes or fill their socks while hiking. The leaf and flower tea is gentle, and was used for respiratory irritations and flu.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX, TX
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Sphaeralcea incana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Sphaeralcea incana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sphaeralcea incana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-10-08Research By:
