5. Callirhoe involucrata (Torrey & A. Gray) A. Gray, Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts, n. s. 4: 15. 1849.
[F W]
Malva involucrata Torrey & A. Gray, Fl. N. Amer. 1: 226. 1838
Plants perennial. Stems 4–11(–21), decumbent to weakly erect, 0.5–8 dm, hairy, hairs stellate, 4-rayed, and simple. Leaves: stipules persistent, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, somewhat auriculate, 2.5–15(–23) mm; petiole 0.7–13(–23.5) cm; blade suborbiculate to ovate, 3–5-lobed, 1–8.5 × 1–12 cm, surfaces hairy, hairs stellate and simple abaxially, mostly simple adaxially, lobes oblong, obovate, or inversely trowel-shaped. Inflorescences racemose; involucellar bractlets 3, linear to ovate, 4.5–17.5 × 0.5–3.5 mm. Flowers bisexual or functionally pistillate; calyx lobes distinct and divergent in bud, not forming point; petals reddish purple with white basal spot, white, or mauve with white margins. Schizocarps 7–11 mm diam.; mericarps 10–28, 2–5.5 × 1.7–3.8 mm, glabrous or hairy, indehiscent; beaks not prominent, 0.7–2.1 mm; collars weakly to well developed, 2-lobed.
Varieties 3 (2 in the flora): United States, n Mexico.
The varieties of Callirhoe involucrata, including var. tenuissima Palmer ex Baker f., which is known only from Coahuila and Nuevo León, Mexico, are weakly differentiated. Both of the flora varieties are cultivated.
