Plant DetailShow Menu

Callirhoe digitata is often confused with:
Callirhoe bushii Callirhoe bushii
Callirhoe involucrata Callirhoe involucrata
Native alternative(s) for Callirhoe digitata:
Trillium grandiflorum Flowers
Trillium undulatum Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Eurybia divaricata Flowers
Mertensia virginica Mertensia virginia
Phlox carolina Phlox carolina
Callirhoe digitata has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage

Fringed Poppy-mallow Callirhoe digitata

Previously known as:

  • Malva digitata
  • Monolix digitata
  • Nuttallia cordata
  • Nuttallia digitata
  • Sesquicella digitata
  • Sida digitata
  • Sida pedata
Phonetic Spelling
kal-ir-OH-ee dig-ee-TAH-tuh
Description

Fringed Poppy Mallow, is a rare herbaceous perennial wildflower native to a small area of the central United States spanning Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The genus name represents the daughter of a minor Greek river god, Alchelous, and the species name, digitata, refers to its leaves which are shaped like an open hand. 

The plant is drought tolerant and will likely be found on prairies or dry meadows. It grows easily from seed in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. It will grow in nutritionally poor soil, but the height of the plant is dependent on the quality of the soil. It has an upright habit and beautiful magenta flowers that bloom from May to September and generally last 4 weeks. This species tends to stand more erect versus a trailing ground cover like Bush's Poppymallow and the Purple Poppymallow (Common Winecup). The Fringed Poppy Mallow has a thick taproot which gives it drought tolerance but makes it difficult to transplant. The foliage appears lacy, and the flowers seem to be floating in the air. The general plant appearance is lean and lanky.    

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No known problems. Slugs are attracted to this plant and can destroy established plants by eating their young shoots in the spring.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#pollinator garden#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#pollinator garden#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Callirhoe
    Species:
    digitata
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and Southern United States.
    Distribution:
    Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees frequent the plant for nectar and pollination. It is said to be a favorite of bumblebees. Deer and rabbits feed on its foliage.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    drought
    Edibility:
    The root is edible if cooked.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The mature seed head is pale tan in color and comes apart easily. The schizocarp is the dried fruit which splits into mericarps. The mericarps contain a single seed which measures 1/8 inch long. To harvest seeds, removed the ripe seeds from the husks. The seeds will be kidney-shaped and black to dark brown in color.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flower petals are magenta colored, fringed at the edges, and initially cup-shaped, but as they mature they open flat. The stamens and styles form a central column. There are no floral bracts below the flower of this species. The flower is bisexual.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Filiform
    Palmasect
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The basal leaves are palmately compound, divided into 5-7 finger-like lobes. The rosette of basal leaves usually withers away prior to the blooming period. The upper compound leaves are up to 5 inches in length and 6 inches across but the leaflets are filiform or thread-like. The basal leaf petioles are 3-12 inches long. The upper surface of the basal leaves is non-hairy or pubescent with simple hairs. The under surface is typically pubescent with simple hairs. Fewer leaves are at the upper part of the stem.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are erect, sometimes branching, non-hairy, and a dull grayish-green or blue in color. The lower central stem is furrowed along it sides, but the upper stems are rounded.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought