Gierisch's globemallow
Sphaeralcea gierischii
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Sphaeralcea gierischii, is a federally listed as endangered species known from Washington County, Utah and nearby Mojave County, Arizona. This rare globemallow species grows on gypsiferous soils in the warm desert shrub community (four-wing saltbush, ambrosia, ephedra, and blackbrush). Gierisch's globemallow is a striking shrub full of large, beautiful orange flowers each with five petals. The palmate leaves are deeply lobed and have uniquely hairless surfaces which help to identify this species in the wild.
Description
Sphaeralcea gierischii is a perennial shrub often with dark red purple stems measuring 43-103 cm tall. This shrub has large showy orange flowers which bloom along the stems with either one flower per node or branching into groups of 2-5 flowers wit
Phenology
Flowers from mid-April to early May.
Diagnostic characteristics
Sphaeralcea gierischii can be distinguished from other species of Sphaeralcea in Washington County by its habitat of gypsum-heavy soils of the Harrisburg member of the Kaibab Formation and by its hairless smooth leaves. Some hairs may be present, but only on the margins of leaves, where other species of Sphaeralcea in the area are noticeably hairy on all surfaces of the leaves.
Species range
This species is known from a very limited range in Washington County, Utah, and immediately adjacent Mohave County, Arizona.
Map
Threats or limiting factors
Habitat loss and degredation is the primary threat to this species (USFWS 2024).Gypsum mining has impacted at least one occurrence (USFWS 2024). Also threatened by highway and power line construction, urban development, recreation, grazing, climate change, altered fire regimes, and introduced plants (Harper 1997, Stubben 1997, USFWS 2000, USFWS 2024). The inheriently small distribution and population size of this species may increase the species’ vulnerability to threats (USFWS 2024).
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies