Jones Globe-mallow
Sphaeralcea caespitosa var. caespitosa
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2T2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Sphaeralcea caespitosa var. caespitosa is known from Beaver and Millard Counties, Utah where it is found only in the Great Basin of southwestern Utah. This species grows on calcareous soil and is often associated with mixed desert shrub and grass communities. Jones Globe-mallow has very large bright orange petaled flowers with golden yellow stamens which bloom on low tufts with white gray hairy leaves. This rare plant is a remarkably hardy species that grows in some of the harshest environments where plants are found.
Description
Sphaeralcea caespitosa var. caespitosa is known from Beaver and Millard Counties, Utah where it is found only in the Great Basin of southwestern Utah. This species grows on calcareous soil and is often associated with mixed desert shrub and grass communities. Jones Globe-mallow has very large bright orange petaled flowers with golden yellow stamens which bloom on low tufts with white gray hairy leaves. This rare plant is a remarkably hardy species that grows in some of the harshest environments where plants are found.
Phenology
Flowering spring to summer.
Diagnostic characteristics
Sphaeralcea caespitosa var. caespitosa is not likely to be confused with any other plants in the narrow region where it is grows.
Species range
Sphaeralcea caespitosa var. caespitosa is known from Beaver and Millard counties.
Threats or limiting factors
About half of the known occurrences are within grazing allotments and observations in Utah Rare Plant Database reported farming and ranching as a threat at the Warm Cove Ridge occurrence (URPD 2025). The other half of occurrences are on the Desert Experimental Station and may be subject to some grazing impacts, but likely much less pressure than on BLM and SILTA . Drought is also a threat to this species.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies