Sphaeralcea munroana and Sphaeralcea parvifolia are difficult to distinguish and may be conspecific. Sphaeralcea parvifolia is more southern and smaller overall; Sphaeralcea munroana is more northern and more robust[].
Sphaeralcea species are somewhat difficult to identify. The species boundaries are not always sharp because there is frequent hybridization, polyploidy, and morphological variation in response to environmental conditions, particularly rainfall. Plants growing in Arizona are particularly difficult to identify[].

Common Name:

General Information

Sphaeralcea parvifolia is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant, usually growing 15 - 40cm tall, occasionally to 100cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

The hairs on the leaves can cause irritation to some people[].

Botanical References

Range

Southwestern N. America - California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico

Habitat

Dry slopes; at elevations from 1,500 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Sphaeralcea species from western N. America are generally species of warm, dry and very freely draining habitats. They are often tolerant of very low winter temperatures but, like many species with downy leaves, they are not very tolerant of winter wet and will often fail to overwinter in mild but wet winter areas[].
Species in this genus generally require a warm, sunny position in a moderately fertile, freely-draining soil[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are chewed or boiled with cactus root (no specific name) and used to treat difficult defecation[].
The root is chewed or boiled for broken bones[]. (Presumably made into a poultice[])

The plant is used to treat babies with bowel problems[].
The plant is used topically to treat cuts, sores and wounds[].

Sphaeralcea species are good sources of mucilage in the form of mucopolysaccharide starches. This has been shown to stimulate macrophage activity and help promote healing and resistance, especially in the skin, upper intestinal tract, urinary tract and lungs[].
The whole plant is demulcent and emollient[]. Taken internally, it can be used to soothe sore throats and irritations along the digestive tract, urinary tract etc. Applied externally, it can be used to soothe and promote healing of cuts, burns, wounds etc[].

Other Uses

The plant is a rich source of mucilage. An infusion is often used as a hair rinse after shampooing, when it is said to give the hair body. A strong infusion will curl the hair if it is not rinsed out[].

The juice of the plant is made into a paste and mixed with clay when making pots[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seed coat and benefits from either autumn sowing or scarification of stored seed[]. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Softwood cuttings in a frame in early summer[].
Division[].