Sphaeralcea Grossulariifolia, Gooseberry-Leaved Globemallow

The orange (occasionally light purple) flowers of sphaeralcea grossulariifolia form small clusters at or near the ends of the branched stems, which also bear deeply divided, curly-edged leaves reminiscent of the gooseberry and similar plants, hence the common name of gooseberry-leaved globemallow. Lobes can be relatively wide and rounded at the tip, or narrow and pointed. Flowers have five petals, overlapping a little to create a neat cup shape; at the center is a cluster of yellow-tipped stamens above a green base. Stems and leaves have a covering of very short hairs, which have a star-like structure; multiple filaments radiating from the attachment point. The plant grows taller than some similar species, which have near-identical flowers; this and the leaf shape provide the main means of identification.