Description: This perennial plant is adventive from
the west or southwest. Several vine-like stems emerge directly from the central
taproot. These angular stems are covered with spreading white hairs, and
usually
sprawl along the ground. The alternate leaves are palmate, usually with 5 major
lobes that are cleft (sharply divided), as well as some secondary lobes and
coarse teeth. They are up to 4" long and 4" across, and roughly orbicular in
outline. The leaves have hairy petioles that can easily exceed 4" in length. A
pair of conspicuous green stipules are located where the petioles join the
stem. From the axil of some of the leaves, a single flower develops from a
pedicel of varying length. The flower bud is exceedingly hairy. The reddish
purple flowers are about 2–2½" across, consisting of 5 broad petals
and a columnar reproductive structure that becomes rather orbicular at the top.
Eventually, this columnar structure spreads outward slightly, revealing
numerous white stamens and a style with pink threads at its tip that curl
outward. The petals often become white at the base of the flower. The green or
brownish green calyx is divided into 5 triangular lobes that have white ridges
and are quite hairy. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer,
and lasts about 1-2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers
are replaced by carpels that are arranged together like a ring. These carpels
are flat, kidney-shaped, and reticulated, with a hairy tip at one end. Each
carpel contains a single seed. This plant spreads by re-seeding
itself.
Cultivation: The preference
is full sun and dry conditions, although a little shade and moister conditions
are tolerated. In Illinois, this plant often grows in poor soil that contains
sand, gravel, or clay. In rich soil, it will grow longer than it normally does
in the wild. After mid-summer, this plant gradually withers away. The foliage
doesn't appear to have many problems with disease.
Range & Habitat: This adventive plant is known
to occur in the wild in only a few scattered counties in the northern half of
Illinois (see
Distribution
Map). It is an uncommon plant. Habitats include dry prairies, areas along
railroads and roadsides, and fields. In Illinois, this plant is more often
observed in flower gardens
because of the attractive flowers.
Faunal Associations: There is little information
available about what kinds of insects visit the flowers of Purple Poppy Mallow.
Generally, the foliage of Callirhoe spp. (Poppy Mallows) and members of
the Mallow family generally have foliage that is readily consumed by mammalian
herbivores, including groundhogs, deer, rabbits, and livestock. This could make
the survival of local populations of this plant difficult where there is a
preponderance of such animals. The taproot is edible and can be used as
emergency food by humans, which means that it is probably edible to gophers and
other small rodents as well.
Photographic
Location: A flower garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments:
Purple Poppy Mallow has reasonably attractive foliage and pretty flowers. It
can be distinguished from other Callirhoe spp. by its sprawling stems
with spreading hairs, palmately lobed leaves, and the lack of a conspicuous
fringe along the outer edge of the petals. It is also useful to examine the
carpels: While the flat sides of the carpels of Purple Poppy Mallow have a
reticulated surface, the sides of the carpels of such species as Callirhoe
alceoides (Pink Poppy Mallow) and Callirhoe triangulata (Clustered
Poppy Mallow) are relatively smooth.