Gierisch's Globemallow

Scientific Name: Sphaeralcea gierischii N.D. Atwood & S.L. Welsh

Plant Guide

Alternate Names

Gierisch’s globemallow

Uses

There are no known human uses of Gierisch globemallow, It is palatable to livestock and wildlife, especially in drought years when other forages are reduced or unavailable (USDI-FWS, 2010), , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Gierisch's Globemallow.

Status

Gierisch globemallow became a candidate for federal protection in 2008 (USID-FWS, 2008). Listing is considered warranted; however, higher priority listing actions have precluded the proposed and final listing rules for the species (USDI-FWS, 2010). The species has a listing priority of 2 (high magnitude with imminent threat). Consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

General: Mallow family (Malvaceae). Gierisch globemallow is a perennial forb growing from a woody caudex, with the inflorescence reaching 40 to 100 cm (16 to 39 in) tall. The stems are often dark reddish purple. The leaves are 3 to 5 lobed, bright green, and oval shaped in outline. The leaf base is often heart shaped. The blades are 1.2 to 4 cm (0.5 to 1.6 in) long and 1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2.0 in) wide. The flowers are large with orange petals, 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1.0 in) long (Welsh et al., 2003). Distribution: Gierisch globemallow is known from nine populations totaling approximately 60 acres. Eight populations are located in northern Mohave County, Arizona, and one population is in Washington County, Utah. There are between 7,000 and 12,000 individuals in Arizona, and the Utah population is believed to be approximately 5,000 to 8,000 individuals (USDI-FWS, 2010). For current distribution, consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. Habitat: Gierisch globemallow is found in warm desert shrub plant communities of the northern Mohave Desert at approximately 1,090 m (3,576 ft) (Welsh et al., 2003).

Adaptation

Gierisch globemallow is an obligate gypsophile (a plant limited to gypsum based soils) restricted to outcrops of the Harrisburg Member of the Kaibab Formation. The area receives approximately 13 to 20 cm (5 to 8 in) of annual precipitation (WRCC, 2011).

Management

Gierisch globemallow is threatened by habitat destruction due to gypsum mining, and habitat degradation from off road vehicle (ORV) use and livestock grazing. Habitat for Gierisch globemallow continues to be destroyed by gypsum mining, and reclaimed sites following mining activities may not provide suitable habitat.

Pests and Potential Problems

Gierisch globemallow is palatable to wildlife and livestock. The flowering stems are grazed primarily in drought years, reducing seed production and recruitment opportunities (USDI-FWS, 2010).

Environmental Concerns

Concerns

Concerns

Climate change could negatively impact this and other species with restricted distributions.

Seed and Plant Production

Plant Production

Plant Production

Life history and germination studies are needed for this species. Reproduction, pollination systems and seed dispersal mechanisms are unknown.