Tree Mallow Callirhoe bushii
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Tree Mallow:
Previously known as:
- Callirhoe involucrata var. bushii
- Callirhoe papaver var. bushii
- Phonetic Spelling
- kal-ir-OH-ee BUSH-ee-eye
- Description
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Bush's Poppy Mallow, is a rare herbaceous biennial/perennial in the mallow (Malvaceae) family that is native to the Southern United States but not to NC. It is typically found in open woods and ravine bottoms. The plants will grow 1-2 feet tall and wide and also grow along the ground but they do not root at the nodes.
The Genus name, Callrihoe, represents the daughter of a minor Greek river god, Achelous. This species honors the botanist who discovered the plant, Benjamin Franklin Bush.
The large showy magenta flowers are upward-facing and long-lasting. The attractive foliage is palmately divided into 5-7 finger-like lobes. It is uncommon in the wild, but plants and seeds are available in some nurseries.
Bush's Poppy Mallow grows easily in dry to medium moisture well-drained soil. Good drainage is required so avoid humusy or clay soils. Bush's Poppy Mallow has a stout thick root making it difficult to transplant. Once the plant is established it should not be disturbed because of its root system. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, moderate to dry conditions, and well-drained soil. In nature, the plant will avoid acidic soils. The plant propagates by seed, which requires 30 days of cold stratification to germinate, but will also self-seed in the garden if conditions are good. It should be planted in the fall and is not frost-tender. The plant provides good ground cover in dry areas and can trail over a stone wall.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems, but it can develop crown rot if the soil is poorly drained.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Callirhoe
- Species:
- bushii
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern United States
- Distribution:
- Native to Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. It is found in the Ozark Plateaus, Ouachita Mountains, and Cherokee Plains.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides nectar and is pollinated by butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought
- Edibility:
- When grown on nitrogen rich soils (and particularly when these are cultivated inorganically), the plant tends to concentrate high levels of nitrates in its leaves. The leaves are perfectly wholesome otherwise. Avoid with gallstones.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Creeping
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The seed head forms into a flat ring and has seed capsules around the center. Each seed capsule contains a single seed. The seeds are very dark brown to black in color and kidney-shaped. The seed typically falls near the plant and are not typically wind blown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flower is brightly magenta colored with 5 wedge-shaped, overlapping petals which form into a cup. The base of the cup is white and there is a central column of stamens. Below the cup-like flower are 5 hairy pointed, green sepals shorter than the petals. On the flower stalk below the cup-like petals are 3 hairy green bracts shorter than the petals. Blooms from early to late summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are divided palmately or hand-shaped with 5 to 7 lobes. The blades are up to 1-3 inches long and 5 inches long. The lower leaves on the stem have the most divisions, and the larger lobes have teeth-like indentations on the tips of the lobes. The stem leaves gradually appear smaller in size with fewer lobes (3-5 lobes) and have fewer teeth-like indentations as they ascend the stem. The leaves are on long, hairy stalks.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are green with greenish white hairs, weakly erect, rambling, and creeping. The plant may spread through the garden, but it does not root at the stem nodes.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Rock Wall
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
