Sidalcea neomexicana - New Mexico Prairie Mallow

Family:	Malvaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.8
Synonyms:
Range:	South-western N. America - Wyoming, New Mexico, California, Idaho and Arizona.

Sidalcea neomexicana (New Mexico Prairie Mallow) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.8m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

New Mexico Prairie Mallow will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
New Mexico Prairie Mallow prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

New Mexico Prairie Mallow can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Wet meadows and streamsides in moist usually strongly alkaline soils, 1500 - 2850m[155].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

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[200]. 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[200]. Plants thrive in climates with relatively cool summers and mild winters[200]. If the plants are cut back immediately after flowering they will produce a second flush of flowers in late summer[200]. Plants are sometimes infested with rust, Puccinia malvacearum[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Leaves - cooked as greens[155, 183].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
A cold infusion of the plant has been used in the treatment of internal injuries[257].

• Miscellany - Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[200]. 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[200].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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