The desert globe mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is native to Southern Utah and the surrounding Mojave and Sonoran deserts. It's a perennial shrub-like plant that grows about three feet high and two to three feet wide. Many desert reptiles depend on it for nourishment in the sparsely populated desert environment, including the common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) and the threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). In addition to being important to native animal life, desert globe mallow is necessary for restoration of vegetation after fires, which are common in the desert. They are commonly found on unstable surfaces, like rocky outcrops or the aftermath of a landslide. It helps restore soil quality and brings life back to the burned areas. The last thing that makes the desert globe mallow stand out is it's ability to fight off invasive plant species such as wheatgrass. I will summarize peer-reviewed articles and experiments to determine why the desert globe mallow has the ability to support its desert habitat in so many ways.
