Here is a common species along streams and in our mountain meadows. Sidalcea oregana certainly prefers wet habitats, but is not otherwise overly particular. Look for light to bright pink flowers that bloom first at the base of the inflorescence and later march up the spike. This bottom-to-top progression is properly called a raceme. These are tall, lanky plants whose leaves are palmately lobed and veined. As with other members of this plant family, their stamens are monadelphous, or fused into a column. Hibiscus is also in the mallow family, as is okra. Many species in the family have mucilaginous compounds in their tissues and one species, Althaea officinalis (a mallow growing in marshy habitat) was put to use as the original ‘marshmallow’. Where once plant root extracts gave this confection its spongy consistency, now egg whites or gelatin suffice.
- Species: Sidalcea oregana
- Plant Family: Malvaceae (mallow family)
- Where I saw it: Hot Springs Creek, Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Look also: riparian habitat and meadows
Where do you see me bloom?
Mama Bluefoot 