Eremalche rotundifolia – “Desert Five-Spot”

Other Botanical Names: Malvastrum rotundifolium
Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
Bloom Period: Mar-May
Form: Annual
Habitat: Dry desert scrub
Leaves: Round to reniform (kidney-shaped), wavy edged or coarsely toothed, red veins; alternate
Translation: “Eremalche” is from Greek meaning either “lonely Mallow” or “desert Mallow” since “malche” is “Mallow” and the prefix “erem” can mean either one; “rotundifolia” is Latin for “round leaves.”
Notes: Flower is quite striking with its characteristic spots, and its globe shape prior to opening. Mature seed pods are shaped like cheese-wheels, as is typical of other species in this family.
Animal relationships: Host plant to Common Checkered-Skipper butterfly and Northern White-Skipper butterfly.