Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

saltmarsh mallow

Synonym(s):

Kosteletzkya virginica

Genus species:

Kosteletzkya pentacarpos

Family:

Malvaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

5 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Blooms sporadically all year in the southern part of its range. Winter dormant in the north.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wetland wildflower garden.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seeds are available through the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Stays wet ---to--- Usually moist, occasional inundation

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Attracts butterflies and various pollinators.

Attracts hummingbirds.  

Native Habitats:

Salt, brackish, or fresh water marshes, sloughs, ditches, borders of mangrove and other swamps, wet forest clearings.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments: