This week we are highlighting the beautiful saltmarsh mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos)! As its name suggests, saltmarsh mallow is a member of the mallow family, which includes commonly known plants like hibiscus, and cotton. This perennial wildflower is found in many Florida counties, and is also found throughout the Eastern United States.

Typically, saltmarsh mallow is found in open sunny, wet areas, this includes salt to fresh water marshes, swamps, and sloughs. It is tolerant of moderate salt spray and occasional saltwater inundation.

Saltmarsh mallow blooms spring through fall, but peak bloom time is typically in the summer. Its showy pink flowers are five-petaled and have striking yellow stamens. When planted in a large group it will form a particularly stunning floral display!

This shrub-like wildflower can get 4 – 6 feet tall and 4 feet in width. Typically, saltmarsh mallow goes dormant in winter, however, as a perennial it will respout in the springtime.

Saltmarsh mallow’s beautiful flowers attract an array of pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and ants! Incorporate saltmarsh mallow into a wetland pollinator garden, rain garden, or in a habitat restoration project as a beautiful wetland wildflower!

For more information:

Florida Wildflower Foundation:

https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-kosteletzkya-pentacarpos

Florida Native Plant Society:

https://www.fnps.org/plant/kosteletzkya-pentacarpos#gsc.tab=0

Atlas of Florida Plants:

https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/862