RANGELANDS15(3), June 1993 127

Globemallows

Bruce M. Pendery and Melvin D. Rumbaugh

We initiated research on the ecological and forage ona, New Mexico, and Texas have the most . characteristicsof globemallows() in 1986 is the most widely distributed during a search for beneficialforbs that are well adapted species. to cold desertand steppe rangelands receivingless than Generally, globemallowspecies in the U.S. are peren- 12 inches of precipitation annually. Globemallows are nial, cool-season forbs or half- (Shaw andMonsen well adapted to such stressful environments. They also 1983, Pendery and Rumbaugh 1986). Most have showy are native species, which may be desired or required in orangeflowers borneon multiple stems that arise from a some situations. basalcrown. However, S. coccinea is moreprostrate and spreadsby rhizomes. In the western U.S. globemallows Characteristics and Ecology grow best in open or disturbed sites (especially road- Globemallows (see cover photos)are in the family Mal- sides) on sandy- to clay-loamsoils, or on gravelly foot- vaceae,which includes species such as cotton, okra, and hills receivingabout 8 to 12 inches of precipitationannu- hollyhock. Sphaeralcea occurs primarily in North and ally (Wasser 1982). Sphaeralcea grossulariifoliais found South America (Kearney 1935). There are 25 globemal- on alkaline soils and tolerates moderate salinity, but it low species on western U.S. rangelands (Table 1). Ariz- does not tolerate sodic soils. Recentwork hasshed lighton globemallowlife-history This article is a cooperativeinvestigation of the USDA-ARS and the Utah Agricultural ExperimentStation, Logan,Utah. Journal PaperNo. 4384. strategies,which may improveour management abilities. Authors are range scientist and retired Research Geneticist, respectively, Under natural conditions establish USDA,Agricultural Research Service, Logan.Utah 84322-6300. globemallows during The authors wishto thank H.F. Mayland, R. Stevens, and H. Horton for favorableyears, or on relatively favorablesites, survive for reviewingan earlier draft ofthis manuscriptand making helpful suggestions for improvement. a fewyears, and then persist at lower densities or in seed

Table 1. Giobemallowspecies occurring inthe western U.S.1'2. An "X" Indicatesa specieshas been reported from a particular state. U.S. PostalService state abbreviationsare used to Indicatestate names.

States of occurrence Species AZ CA CO ID KS MT NE NV NM ND OK OR SD TX UT WA WY S. ambigua X X X X S. angustifolia X X X X X X X X S. caespitosa X X S.coccinea3 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X S. coulteri X X S. digitata X X X S.emoryi X X X X S. fend/en X X X X X S. grossulaniifo/ia X X X X X X X X S. hastulata X X S. incana X X X S. janeae X S.!axa X X X S. leptophylla X X X X X S. !indheimeni X S. munroana X X X X X x x x x S. orcuttii X X S. parvifolia X X X X X X S. pedatifida X S. procera X S. psoraloides X S. rusbyi X X X S. subhastat a X X X S. wrightii X X X S. polychroma X X 'Forty-threefloras and atlaseswere consulted to preparethis list.They are notincluded inthe literature cited, butare available from the authors. Synonyms have not been included. 2Species occurring inCanada areS. coccinea (British Columbia,Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba)andS. munroana(British Columbia).Species occurring in Mexico are: S. angustifolia,S. coccinea, S. digitata, S. ambigua,S. axillaris, S. coulteri,S. ernoryi, S. endiichii, S. fuiva,S. hastulata, S. Iaxa, S. fendleri,S. hainesii,S. incana, S. leptophylla,S. orcuttii, S. pedafifida, S. wrightii, S. paimeni, and S. suiphurea(Fryxell 1988). S. coccineaalso occurs in Iowa and Minnesota. 128 RANGELANDS15(3), June 1993 banks. In in the Mojave Desert, S. ambiguaestablished Table 2. 2N chromosomenumbers reported for several globemal- spaces between larger shrubs, where it led a "fugitive" low speciesin the western U.S. An "X" indicatesthat a particular life, avoiding interactionswith other (Wright and 2N chromosomenumber has been reported for a species. Howe 1987). Henderson et al. (1988) foundthat globemal- low seeds and plants had the patchydistribution common 2N chromosome number' in arid land plant communitieswhere thereare few "safe Species 10 20 30 50 Source2 sites." There were no associations or strong (positive S. ambigua X X X 1,2 negative) with otherspecies, indicatingreduced competi- S. angustifolia X X X 3 tion in a harsh environment. Ehleringer and Cooper S. caespitosa X 4 (1988) characterized S. as a short-lived,oppor- S. coccinea X X X 1,2 ambigua S. coulteri X 1 tunistic that established wet species probably during S. digitata X 1 years but possiblyhad higher mortality during dry years S.emoryi X X X 1 due to relatively low water-use efficiency.The photogra- S. fend/en X X X 1,3 S. grossulari- X X 2 phic record of Sharp et al. (1990) seems to confirm that ito/ia globemallowsestablish during wet years, but die back S. incana X X 1,3 during dry years. S.!axa X 1 The role of nonstructuralcarbohydrates in the grazing S. Iindheimeri X 1 toleranceof S. munroana X X 2 globemal lows has been the subjectof several S. orcuttii X 1 studies (Trlica et al. 1977, Menke and Trlica 1981, Menke S. parvifolia X X 1,2 and Trlica 1983). With few exceptions, root and crown S. pedatitida X 1 nonstructural S. rusbyi X X 1 carbohydrateconcentrations in defoliated S. subhastata X X 1 S. coccinea did not differ from unclippedplants; however, S. wrightii X 3 S. coccinea could be sensitive to fall grazing because of S. polychroma X 3 its carbohydrateaccumulation patterns. 'Webber (1936) reported haploid (N) chromosomenumbers. et al. found that a 21 Webber(1936), 2 Rumbaughet al. (1989),3 LaDuke (1986), and 4 R. Pendery (submitted) single spring- R-C. Wang (personal time defoliation did not affect S. munroana total non- communication). structural carbohydrateamounts (pools). They also found relative utilizationof globemallows(S. coccinea, S. mun- that carbohydratesin roots and crowns accounted for roana, S. grossulariifolia,and S. alfalfa, and 7% of the total parvifolia), only biomass in S. munroana regrowth crested wheatgrass was as follows: defoliation. Meristematic characteristics and following 1988 flexibility in the allocation of are more (fall) alfalfa> grass> globemallow carbohydrates 1989 (fall) grass> alfalfa > globemallow important than the total amountof carbohydratesfor the 1990 (spring) alfalfa > globemallow> grass regrowth of defoliation bunchgrasses (Richards and 1991 (spring) alfalfa > globemallow> grass. Caldwell and the 1985), same may betrue of globemallows. They concludedthat globemallows were acceptable, but not forbs which can be seeded in envi- Genetics and Reproduction highly preferred, ronments where alfalfa or other more desirable species Sphaeralcea is a morphologicallyvariable and complex are not adapted. genus. Its geneticsand have been extensively Rumbaugh et al. (1993b) concluded that forage from revised (Kearney 1935, Fryxell 1988). Diploid, tetraploid, pastures containing Hycrest' crested wheatgrass and hexaploid,and decaploid forms of globemallowsoccur globemallows would meet dietaryelemental requirements (Table2). This variability may be due to active evolution; for beef cattle and sheep in the spring and fall. They also the species are apparentlypoorly genetically delimited. found that globemallows were similar to Spredor 2' intergradationamong species is common,probably as a alfalfa in elemental constituentvalues in the spring and result of interspecific hybridization. Globemallows are fall. strongly outcrossing and are pollinatedby insects. Sev- eral types of bees are important pollinators, especially Cultural Considerations Diadasia (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae). Seed Production,Harvesting, and Cleaning NutritionalValue and Utilization Sphaeralcea grossulariifoliaseed is usually collected by hand or machinefrom wild land standsduring July or Globemallowsare utilized by wildlife and livestock,but August (Wasser 1982). To maximize yield, plants should S. coccineais theonly species that has been shown to be be harvested whenthe lowest globes start to split and the heavilyutilized in a variety of environments (Hyder et al. majorityare just ready to open. Globesat this time will be 1975, Howard et al. 1990, Rumbaugh et al. 1993a). light green-brown. At the time of maximal seed yield, an Sphaeralcea coccinea is a prominent component of estimated 15%of the globes of S. coccinea andabout 25% nativeplant communitieson theGreat Plains, but it is less of S. munroana, S. grossulariifolia, and S. parvifolia commonin the Intermountainarea. globes were ripe (Pendery and Rumbaugh 1990). This Rumbaugh et al. (1993a) conducted a 4-year grazing emphasizes the indeterminate seed ripeningof giobemal- trial with sheep in southern Idaho and found that the lows,which is a problemfor commercial seed production. RANGELANDS15(3), June 1993 129

Dry seed can be cleaned with a seed cleanerin combina- erosionwhile otherspecies in a seeding establish. Globe- tion with a debearderto remove seed from capsules, and mallowsdo not produceas much forageas other selected then recleaned on a clipper or fanning mill if necessary. foragespecies whenseeded on siteswith fertile soils and The limited supply of commerciallyavailable seed ranges which receive morethan 12 inches precipitationannually. from about $35 to $65 per pound. However, they will be advantageous in seeding mixtures Seeding Procedures for sites where high heat and drought stress restrict the Globemallow seed can be aerially broadcast and choice of species to be planted. covered,drilled in a seed or mixture, cultipackedsepar- improved Varieties atelyor in mixtures(Shaw and Monsen 1983). Itshould be seeded in fall or winter. Experience has shown that Our work with globemallows(Pendery and Rumbaugh globemallowscannot successfully establish if plantedat 1990;Rumbaugh etal. 1993a, b) has resultedin the regis- more than 1/4-inch depth, which creates difficulties in tration and release of two globemallow germplasms. seeding mixtures where the other species should be ARS-2936scarlet globemal low(S. coccinea)was selected planted deeper. Seeding rate recommendations have for excellent spread by rhizomes, the number of shoots ranged from 1/4- to 2-pounds per acre (Plummer et al. arising from rhizomes, and palatability for sheep (Rum- 1968, Wasser 1982, Horton 1989). This emphasizes that baugh et al. 1993). ARS-2892 Munroe globemailow(S. thereare no absolute prescriptionsfor globemallow seed- munroana) was selected for amount of shoot biomass, ing; experience is probablythe best guide. leafiness, and seed yield (Rumbaugh and Pendery 1993). Small amounts of seed of these Seed GerminatIon (1/3-ounce) germplasms are available uponwritten request tothe authors, andwith Sabo etal. (1979) found that S. incanahad 100% germi- the that of the nation after 12 when were alter- stipulation appropriaterecognition original days daily temperatures source will be given when they contribute to research or nated at 750 Ffor8 hours and 65° Ffor 16 hours.The seed development of new cultivars. had been scarified for 3 minutes with medium grit sand- paper. Rothet al. (1987) achieved maximum germination Conclusion in most of their treatments when seed was scarified with Globemallows are an alternativenative forb component dioxane; however, due to the of this potential dangers for rangeland seedings. They are best suited to areas chemical, they recommended a 10-minute soak in sul- 12 inches or less of furic acid as a scarification Other receiving precipitation annually. preferable procedure. While globemallowsare suited to—and may be easier to studies have also clearly shown that scarification is establish on—wetter there be moredesirable to seed areas, may required improve globemallow germination. species forthose sites. G lobemallows are acceptable, but Forage Yields not highly preferred, forbs that meetthedietary elemental Sphaeralcea coccinea standing crop averaged 150 requirements of beef cattle and sheep when sown with pounds per acre in blue grama grasslands in Colorado grasses. (Stanton et al. 1984). Pendery and Rumbaugh (1990) reported forageyields of S. grossulariifoliaand S. mun- Literature Cited roaria grown with Hycrest' crested wheatgrass on a Ehleringer,J.R., and T.A. Cooper. 1988. Correlations betweencar- favorablesite in northernUtah (Table3). The2globemal- bon isotope ratio and microhabitat in desert plants. Oecologia 76:562-566. Table 3. Forage yield of giobemaliows grown with crested wheat- Fryxell, P.A. 1988. of Mexico. Systematic Bot. Mono. and ofalfalfa with crestedwheatgrass, at a northern 25:1 —522. grass, grown R.A. Utah study site (adapted from Penderyand Rumbaugh1990). Henderson,C.B., K.E. Petersen,and Redak.1988. Spatial and temporal patterns in the seed bank and vegetation of a desert grasslandcommunity. J. Ecol. 76:717-728. Forb component Horton, H. 1989. Planting guidefor Utah. UtahState Univ. Coop.Ext. Alfalfa Grass Serv. ExtensionCirc. EC 433, Logan, Utah. Globemallow J.L. R.D. K. Year Howard, V.W., Jr., Holechek, Pieper, Green-Hammond, yield yield yield M. Cardenas, and S.L. Beasom. 1990. Habitat requirementsfor lb/ac. pronghorn on rangeland impacted by livestock and net wire in 1985 1115 636 100 eastcentralNew Mexico.New MexicoAgr. Exp.Sta. Bull. 750, Las 1986 195 3617 956 Cruces,N.M. 1987 314 3810 1757 Hyder, D.N., R.E. Bement,E.E. Remmenga, and D.F. Hervey.1975. 1988 478 5106 795 Ecological responses of native plantsand guidelinesfor manage- Mean 526 3292 902 ment ofshortgrass range. USDA-ARSTech. Bull. 1503, U.S. Gov. Print. Off., Washington,D.C. Kearney, T.H. 1935. The North American species of Sphaeralcea low species did not differ significantly in forage yield. subgenusEusphaera!cea. Univ. California Public. Bot. 19:1 -128. However, the mean forageyield of globemallowwas sig- LaDuke,J.C. 1986. Chromosomenumbers in Sphaeralceasection less than the mean of alfalfa. The mean Fendlerianae. Amer. J. Got. 73:1400-1404. nificantly yield Menke,J.W., and M.J. TrIlca. 1981. Carbohydrate reserve, phenol- yield of crested wheatgrass did not differ whethergrown ogy, and growth cycles in nine Colorado rangespecies. J. Range with alfalfa or with globemallow. Manage. 34:269-277. Theseresults (Table 3) indicatethat globemallowsare Menke,J.W., and M.J. TrIlca. 1983. Effects ofsingle and sequential defoliations on the carbohydratereserves of four range species. J. not highly competitive but that they may prevent soil Range Manage. 36:70-74. 130 RANGELANDS15(3), June 1993

Pendery,B.M., and M.D. Rumbaugh.1986. Globemallows:forbs for Rumbaugh, M.D., B.M. Pendery, H.F. Mayland, and G.E. Shew- Utah rangelands.Utah Sd. 47:41-45. maker. 1993. Registrationof ARS-2936 scarlet globemallow.Crop Pendery, B.M., and M.D. Rumbaugh. 1990. Survival and growth of Sci. 33: in press. globemallow[SphaeralceaJ speciesin dry land spaced-plantnur- Rumbaugh,M.D., R. R-C. Wang,and B.M. Pendery.1989. Chromo- series. J. Range Manage. 43:428-432. some numbersof western globemallowspecies. p.97. In: Agron- Pendery,SM., M.D. Rumbaugh,H.F. Mayland,and P.A. Harrison. omyAbstracts, Amer. Soc. Agron., Madison,Wisc. Nonstructural carbohydrate and element pools in globemallow Sabo, D.G.,G.V. Johnson, W.C. Martin, and E.F. Aidon. 1979. Ger- (Sphaeralcea):defoliation effects andseasonal trends. Submitted mination requirementsof 19 species of arid land plants. USDA to Great Basin Natur. Forest Serv.Res. Pap. RM. 210. Piummer,A.P., D.R.Christensen, and S.B. Monsen.1968. Restoring Sharp,L.A., K. Sanders, andN. Rimbey. 1990. Forty yearsof change big-game range in Utah. Utah Div. Fish & Game Pub. 68-3, Salt in a shadscalestand in idaho. Rangelands 12:313—328. Lake City, Utah. Shaw,N., and S.B. Monsen.1983. Nonleguminousforbs for range- Richards, J.H., and M.M. Caidweii. 1985. Soluble carbohydrates, land sites. P. 123-131 In: SB. Monsen and N. Shaw (compilers), concurrent photosynthesis,and efficiency of regrowth following Managing Intermountain Rangelands—Improvementof Range defoliation: a field study with Agropyron species. J. AppI. Ecol. andWildlife Habitats.USDA Forest Serv.Gen. Tech. Rep.INT 157. 22:907-920. Stanton, N.L., D. Morrison, and WA. Laycock. 1984. The effect of Roth, T.E., J.L. Holechek, and MY. Hussain. 1987. Germination phytophagousnematode grazing on blue gramadie-off. J. Range responseof three globemallow speciesto chemical treatment.J. Manage. 37:447-450. Range Manage. 40:173-175. Trilca, M.J., M. Buwai, and J.W. Menke. 1977. Effects of restfollow- Rumbaugh, M.D., H.F. Mayland, B.M. Pendery, and G.E. Shew- ingdefoliations on the recoveryof several range species. J. Range maker. 1993.. Utilization of globemallow (Sphaeralcea)taxa by Manage. 30:21-27. sheep. J. Range Manage. 46:103-109. Wasser, C.H. 1982. Ecologyand culture of selectedspecies useful in Rumbaugh, M.D., H.F. Mayland, B.M. Pendery, and G.E. Shew- revegetatingdisturbed lands in the West.USD1 Fish & WildI.Serv., maker.1993b. Element concentrations in globemallowherbage. J. FWS/OBS-82/56. Range Manage. 46:114-117. Webber, J.M. 1936. Chromosomes in Sphaeralcea and related Rumbaugh,M.D., and B.M.Pendery. 1993. Registrationof ARS-2892 genera.Cytologia 7:313-323. Munroe globemallow. Crop Sci. 33: in press. Wright, S.J.,and H.F. Howe.1987. Patternand mortality in Colorado Desert USA plants. Oecologia 73:543-552.

1I1