Join us for our next Pasture Walk September 29, 2023!

Poppy Mallow, Purple

Callirhoe involucrata

Plant in bunches for best effect; deadhead tickseed coreopsis for a striking combination

 

$3.00$450.00

For quantity discount pricing, request a quote.

Description

Purple Poppy Mallow is a perennial plant that has a low, creeping growth form and a fragrant flower. Native Americans used the taproot of this species medicinally: a decoction of the roots as a pain killer; the smoke from a smoldering, dried root was inhaled for head colds, and a tea made from the boiled root was drunk for internal pains and also to bathe aching body parts. Native Americans and early European settlers also ate the roots of poppy mallows, which reportedly taste similar to sweet potato when harvested in late summer or fall. The leaves of Purple Poppy Mallow, like other members of the mallow family, are mucilaginous and have been used to thicken soups and other liquids. The scientific name is Callirhoe involucrata. Callirhoe is derived from a Greek work meaning beautiful flowering, and it is a name shared with an ocean nymph in Greek mythology. The species name, involucrata, refers to the whorl of green, leaf-like structures just below the flower which is referred to as an involucre.

Wildlife notes

Bees are common visitors of this species and they are the primary pollinators. Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis) caterpillars feed on the poppy mallows. The foliage and roots are quite palatable to many species of plant-eating mammals including deer, rabbits, and groundhogs. Because the leaves are green late into the winter and early in the spring, mammals often seek it out during these periods.

Forage notes

Purple Poppy Mallow is very palatable to livestock. It can be used as part of a forage mix on dry sites. It stays green late into the winter and greens up early in the spring, so this species can be a mouthful of quality forage for livestock especially during that period.

Landscaping notes

Native Americans evidently appreciated the beauty of the flowers of some of the poppy mallow species as do modern landscapers. The foliage is attractive as are the magenta-colored flowers. Because it is indeterminate, it also has a relatively long bloom period compared to other native species. Purple Poppy Mallow readily recruits new plants from seed.

Restoration notes

Purple Poppy Mallow is found on dry sites such as edges of glades and upland prairies. It often shows up after disturbance events.

Additional information

Weight N/A
Unit

Packet, Ounce, Pound

Light

Full Sun

Soils

Dry, Average

Height

12"-24"

Bloom Month

Jun, Jul

Color

Pink

Specialty Uses

Landscaping, Medicinal, Tea

Cattle Palatability

Good

What is PLS?

Pure Live Seed (PLS) is the portion of good viable seed per pound. It is a measure of the seed that is alive and able to sprout into plants. This product is sold by PLS ounce/pound. To provide one ounce/pound of viable seed, you will receive more than one ounce/pound of product. Read more about PLS here.