Desert globmallow

Description:

Shrubby and woolly, this perennial grows 1-3 ft., with numerous large, apricot-orange flowers in wand-like clusters near the tips of weak, wide-ranging, sometimes sprawling stems. The broad leaves have three lobes and rounded, scalloped edges. A grayish plant often with many stems, and bright orange-red flowers in clusters with erect branches.

Habitat:

Wildlife habitat yard.

Notes:

Tiny leaf hairs on the globe mallow are an eye irritant, which is probably why they are also called sore-eye poppies or pink-eye poppies. These hairs are thought to discourage herbivores from eating the plant. The large number of flowers produced over a year provides a steady source of pollen and nectar to honey bees and other insects.