Description
The rarity and elegance of California globe mallow combine to make this species highly sought after for native plant gardens throughout its limited range in southwest Oregon and northwest California, where it is endemic. It can be found in portions of the Klamath, Siskiyou and Cascade Mountains, as well as the Coast Ranges. An uncommon perennial wildflower in the mallow (Malvaceae) plant family, California globe mallow has large, palmate, deeply 5-7-lobed, green leaves, and typically grows 3-6′ tall. It is also known by the additional common names broad bracted globemallow or California wild hollyhock.
California globe mallow is found from low to mid elevations in various habitat types, from coniferous forests, woodland edges, meadows, along stream banks, and in redwood forests. It blooms June-August, depending on elevation. The flowers grow in the leaf axils, either singly or in clusters. The large, showy flowers are reminiscent of hollyhock, hence the common name. The flowers are pink to purple with five petals, and are highly attractive to many pollinator species.
Grow in average, moist, well-drained soil in part-shade. If grown near the coast, at higher elevations, or in a cooler microclimate, it can be grown in full-sun.
Oregonflora rare plant fact sheet for Iliamna latibracteata: https://oregonflora.org/pages/content/ililat.pdf
*Note: This species is rare in the wild and our seed is not sourced from wild populations. Our seed was originally sourced from an agency grow-out operation for habitat enhancement and population augmentation, and we have been collecting seed from garden grown plants to provide seed packets. The seed is horticulturally sourced and not wild collected.
California globe mallow (Iliamna latibracteata) seed packets contain approximately 80 seeds per packet.
Seed Germination Instructions
This species requires at least 30-60 days cold-moist stratification in order to germinate.
Sow seeds in pots or direct sow outside in fall with a light dusting of soil over the seeds and let nature do the stratification naturally outside if you have cold enough winters. If you live in an area with mild winters, you may need to provide the cold-moist stratification artificially. For more information please read through the information in our Seed Germination and Propagation Reference Guide.
Germination for this species may be improved with a soak in hot (not boiling) water for 24 hours just before sowing the seeds.
