Apricot Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is in the Mallow and Hibiscus Family family (Malvaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,369 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Apricot Globemallow: observations by month (U.S.)
About Apricot Globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua, commonly known as desert globemallow or apricot mallow, is a member of the genus Sphaeralcea in the mallow family (Malvaceae).From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Apricot Globemallow by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,586 | April | Mar–May |
| Nevada | 569 | April | Mar–May |
| Arizona | 161 | April | Mar–May |
| Utah | 52 | April | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mallow and Hibiscus Family)
Checkerbloom
Swamp Rose Mallow
Turk's cap
Cretan mallow
Southern Coastal Bushmallow
Common Hibiscus
Cheeseweed Mallow
Pineland Hibiscus
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Apricot Globemallow?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Apricot Globemallow most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Nevada, Arizona.