REGISTRATION OF ARS-2892 MUNROE GLOBEMALLOW
Crop Sci. 33: 1108

Rumbaugh, M. D., and B. M. Pendery

Munroe globemallow [Sphaeralcea munroana (Dougl.) Spach.] is a native, xerophytic, perennial herb widely distributed in shadscale [Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. & Frem.)], juniper (Juniperus spp.), desert shrub, and mountain brush communities (1). This species is found in southern British Columbia, southwestern Montana and Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California (2). In Utah, Sphaeralcea munroana is generally restricted to the northern Wasatch Mountains where it intergrades with S. grossulariifolia (H. & A.) Rydb. Globemallow plants are self-sterile and insect pollinated. Leaves are 3- to 5-parted with dentate margins and stellate trichomes. Plant height is 20 to 50 cm and the inflorescence often contains more than 25 flowers with brick-red petals.

ARS-2892 is a selected ecotype of Munroe globemallow. It originated from seed collected from naturally occurring plants growing on the Hyrum Lake Dam (41^o 37'N, 111^o 52'E), Cache County, Utah, on 7 July 1986. The collection site is at 1325 m elevation and average annual precipitation is 406 mm. Soils are disturbed, sandy and rocky. Associated vegetation was alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), and cheatgrass (Bromus japonicus Murray). Plants of this accession grown in a spaced-plant nursery near Logan, Utah, were identified as S. munroana by staff of the Intermountain Herbarium, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. ARS-2892 is a tetraploid with 2N=2x=20 chromosomes (personal communication, Richard Wang).

ARS-2892 was evaluated in comparison with 49 other accessions of S. munroana and other species of globemallows in non-competitive, spaced-plant nurseries in northern Utah (471 m mean annual precipitation) and southern Idaho (321 mm mean annual precipitation) from 1987 to 1992. Subjective evaluation and selection of the plants for amount of shoot biomass, leafiness, and seed yield potential repeatedly identified ARS-2892 as the most desirable accession in the nurseries.

Other experimental identification codes for this accession were RP 38 and U 2892.

The primary reasons for selecting ARS-2892 in preference to the other globemallows examined were its large shoot size, succulence, leafy growth form, and excellent seed yield potential. ARS-2892 is drought and heat tolerant, winterhardy, and survives well in semiarid environments. When included in seed mixtures with adapted grasses, this germplasm will be of value to stabilize disturbed and eroding lands, including minespoils, and for range revegetation and roadside beautification. Since S. munroana is a native species, ARS-2892 may be used where introduced species are prohibited or not desired. The attractive foliage and flowers indicate that ARS-2892 could be included in wildflower seed mixtures and planted in perennial gardens.

An isolated seed increase block of ARS-2936 was established near Logan, Utah, in 1990. Seed will be maintained by the USDA Agricultural Research Service and distributed in 10 gram samples. We ask that appropriate recognition of the original source be given when this germplasm contributes to research development of new cultivars.

Seed of this germplasm pool, if increased commercially, should be produced in accordance with the Pre-Variety Germplasm Certification Standards adopted by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies. This germplasm qualifies for the Selected Class according to the Utah Crop Improvement Association, the official seed certifying agency for Utah. Request seed from K. H. Asay, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-6300.

References

Albee, B. J., L. M. Shultz, and S. Goodrich. 1988. Atlas of the vascular plants of Utah. Utah Museum of Natural History, Salt Lake City.

Jefferies, J. A. M. 1972. A revision of the genus Sphaeralcea (Malvaceae) for the state of Utah. M.S. Thesis, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.

M. D. Rumbaugh, and B. M. Pendery. USDA-Agricultural Research Service Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Logan, UT 84322-6300.