Practical
Plants

Sidalcea neomexicana

New Mexico Prairie Mallow

a perennial member of the Sidalcea genus in the family Malvaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Malvaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.8 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked as greens[1][2].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A cold infusion of the plant has been used in the treatment of internal injuries[4].

Product or use
Miscellany

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Wyoming, New Mexico, California, Idaho and Arizona.
Habitat
Wet meadows and streamsides in moist usually strongly alkaline soils, 1500 - 2850 metres[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep fertile well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position but with some shade at the hottest part of the day[3]. Hardy to at least -15°c, but where prolonged cold spells without snow cover are experienced it is best to apply a good mulch of bracken in the winter[3]. Plants thrive in climates with relatively cool summers and mild winters[3]. If the plants are cut back immediately after flowering they will produce a second flush of flowers in late summer[3]. Plants are sometimes infested with rust, Puccinia malvacearum[3].

References

  1. Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  4. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

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