Modiola caroliniana (L.) G. Don

Carolina Bristle Mallow; Cheeses; Bristly Mallow

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Carolina Bristle Mallow is a native perennial in the Hibiscus family (Malvaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Carolina Bristle Mallow occurs in lawns, on roadsides, along railroads, on shell mounds, on dunes, in pine woods, in open hardwood forests, in fields, in prairies, and on rock outcrops. It is a perennial form a tuberous rootstock. Stems radiate out from the crown. Stems are usually prostrate and root at the nodes. Occasional plants have a more up-right growth form. The stems are pubescent. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, pubescent, and vary in outline from deltoid to reniform. The leaves are often deeply 3-7 palmately lobed with toothed or incised margins. The stipules are persistent and leaf-like. Flowers are produce solitarily from the leaf axils. There are 3 narrow lanceolate segments just below the calyx (the epicalyx). There are 5 sepals and 5 orange-red petals. The stamens are united into a column that is yellow in color. The fruit is a schizocarp consisting of 20 reniform mericarps in a single whorl. The mericarps are black in color and have bristles and 2 spines. Each mericarp is 2 seeded. Carolina Bristle Mallow is often weedy and occurs in a wide variety of habitats. It is drought and salt tolerant.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU+ (NWPL)

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