Poppy Mallow

Poppy Mallow

Callirhoe is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. Its nine species are commonly known as poppy mallows and all are native to the prairies and grasslands of North America. Of the nine, some are annuals while others are perennial plants.

The genus is named for the Oceanid Callirrhoe in Greek mythology.

Poppy mallow leaves are alternate and palmately lobed. The flowers are cup-shaped and brightly colored.

The plants prefer a hot and dry situation, and a well-drained sandy soil.

Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) is a low-growing perennial with a large taproot and hairy stems. Flower petals range from cerise to reddish violet with a white base. It grows to 30 cm high and spreads 60–70 cm wide. It is widely recommended to gardeners in the Western United States as a plant that is showy without being water-hungry.