Saltmarsh mallow

The saltmarsh mallow, Kosteletzkya virginica, grows along the coast of the United States from Long Island—I was surprised to see it listed for Nassau County, where I grew up—to Texas. This species doesn’t range as far inland as Austin, but people sometimes plant it around ponds here as an ornamental.

This is the sixth and penultimate in a series of pictures you’re seeing from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on July 23.

ADDENDUM: In the first comment below, Wanda asked if I could show a closeup of the flower’s reproductive column, so I’ve added that here. Click to enlarge.

© 2013 Steven Schwartzman