Sidalcea oregana (Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray) A. Gray
Oregon checker-mallow (Oregon checkerbloom)
Malvaceae (Mallow family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Reg Newman     (Photo ID #12115)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Sidalcea oregana
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC

Sidalcea oregana ssp. oregana

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a stout taproot and a branched crown, without rhizomes; stems erect, not hollow, glabrous to soft-hairy or with star-like hairs, 20-150 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves heart-shaped, long-stalked, shallowly lobed, toothed; stem leaves alternate, palmately 5-7 lobed into oblong segments, stalks reduced upwards; stipules purple-tinged.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of numerous flowers in open, loose, terminal clusters on stalks 1-10 mm long; petals 5, light pink to deep pink, 1-2 cm long; calyces 3.5-9 mm long, hairy to bristly-hairy or with long hairs up to 2.5 mm long, bractlets lacking.
Fruits:
Carpels, 2.5-3 mm long, 5-10, honeycombed on the sides and back, the beaks 0.3-0.7 mm long; seeds 1.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

USDA Species Characteristics

Flower Colour:
Purple
Blooming Period:
Late Spring
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present over the Summer
Source:  The USDA

Habitat and Range

Dry grasslands, shrublands and forest openings in the steppe and lower montane zones; rare in SC BC; S to WY, UT and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Sidalcea cusickii subsp. purpurea C.L. Hitchc.