Checker Mallow
Sidalcea malviflora ssp. asperella

[si-DAL-see-a  mal-vi-FLOR-a]

FAMILY: Malvacea (Mallow)

DESCRIPTION: {native} These two foot high semi-erect stalks begin with palmately veined lower leaves, more divided center leaves and a raceme of delicate pinkish-purple flowers. They have five wavy edged petals, with many white stamens fused into a tube surrounding a taller, feathery stigma. They have a superior ovary and develop a segmented wheel-shaped fruit.

HABITAT: Open woodlands and scrub below 7,000.

NOTES: Once we spotted the imature flower bud stalks, we checked back every couple of days to discover exactly what new flower we had. It was fun to watch the flowers develop and then to "key" it out to solve the puzzle of "who are you?"