Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses of North Dakota

Summer Wildflowers

Craig Bihrle photo: Scarlet globemallow (inset shows top view of flower)
Craig Bihrle Scarlet globemallow
(Sphaeralcea coccinea)
Distribution: statewide
Habitat: gravelly, dry prairie soil
Flowers: salmon-brick red with yellow center, five petals, leafy spikes have 4-6 flowers
Height: 4-12 inches
Blooms: late May to late July
Family name: Mallow (Malvaceae)
Other names: Red falsemallow
Plant uses and other interesting facts: One of the most drought resistant prairie plants, it sheds its leaves during drought. Dakota medicine men coated their hands and arms with the paste of this plant to painlessly pick meat out of scalding water.

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