Winecup Mallow (Wildflowers of Eisenhower State Park)

Winecup Mallow

Callirhoe involucrata

Summary ⁶

Callirhoe involucrata is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common name purple poppy-mallow. It is native to the United States and northern Mexico.

Description ⁷

This perennial wildflower is up to 1' tall and sprawls across the ground, producing several vine-like stems up to 4' long from a central taproot. These angular stems are light green to dull reddish purple and covered with spreading white hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long, 4" across, and more or less orbicular in outline; they are palmate, usually with 5 major lobes that are cleft (sharply divided), as well as some secondary lobes and margins with coarse teeth. The leaves have hairy petioles that can easily exceed 4" in length. A pair of conspicuous green stipules are located at the base of each petiole. Each stipule has a shape that is half-ovate. From the axils of the leaves, individual flowers develop from pedicels up to 6" long. The flowers are about 1½–2½" across, consisting of 5 broad magenta petals, a columnar reproductive structure, and a whitish green to reddish green calyx. At maturity, the columnar structure expands outward slightly, revealing numerous white stamens and pinkish style-branches. The petals often become white near the center of the flower. The calyx is divided into 5 lanceolate lobes that have light-colored ridges and are quite hairy; these lobes are shorter than the petals. Underneath the calyx, there are 3 floral bracts that are similar in appearance to the calyx lobes. The blooming period occurs from late spring to late summer and lasts about 1-2½ months. There is no noticeable floral scent. The flowers are replaced by carpels that are arranged together like a ring. These carpels are flattened and reniform (kidney-shaped) with short hairy beaks. The flattened sides of the carpels are reticulated, rather than smooth. Each carpel contains a single seed. This wildflower spreads by reseeding itself. Cultivation