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Plant Profile

Bush's Poppy-mallow (Callirhoe bushii)

This rare poppy mallow is known for its fuschia flowers and hairy stems. Photo Credit: Casey Galvin

Global Rank: G3 - Vulnerable
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Malvaceae
State: AR, IA, KS, MO, OK
Nature Serve ID: 161637
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 05/28/1986

Description:

Callirhoe bushii is a lovely member of the poppy family, producing striking magenta flowers. First described in 1909, the plant was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin Bush (1858-1937), a prominent botanist of the time. However, considerable debate ensued over the true taxonomic status of the species and only recently has the name C. bushii been accepted as correct (Dorr 1990). As are many other Callirhoe species, C. bushii is a popular garden plant and can be purchased from many nurseries. Gardeners should remember to always ask nursery dealers the source of their plants, however, and NEVER buy wild-collected plants.

Where is Bush's Poppy-mallow (Callirhoe bushii) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Open rocky woodlands, edges of glades, prairies, and railroad right-of-ways, mostly in calcareous soils (Morgan 1980).Often found with Verbesina helianthoides, Campanula americana, Ampelopsis cordata, Campsis radicans, Cassia sp., Melilotus alba, Rudbeckia triloba, Polymnia canadensis, Smilax sp., Clematis virginiana (Morgan 1980).

Distribution:

Found in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

States & Provinces:

Bush's Poppy-mallow can be found in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma

Which CPC Partners conserve Bush's Poppy-mallow (Callirhoe bushii)?

Missouri Botanical Garden

Conservation Actions

10/02/2020

Chromosome research (C. Bushii has 28) (Bates et al. 1989).

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Taxonomy now clarified (Dorr 1990); 49 post-1970 occurrences known from 4 states.

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

The primary threat to C. bushii is loss of habitat to development Mowing, herbicides and other disturbances threaten populations near roads and rights-of-way (Morgan 1980, Wallace 1984).

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Approximately 50 populations among the four states in which C. bushii occurs. Individuals are scattered within population boundaries, occurring singly or in small groups.

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Chromosome research (C. Bushii has 28) (Bates et al. 1989).

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

A management plan for the Hollister Railroad site in Taney County, Missouri was developed, calling for the elimination of herbicide application at the site and the initiation of selective cutting of trees and shrubs (Morgan 1980, Wallace 1984). Hollister Railroad has one of the largest populations of C. bushii.

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Management needs include eliminating herbicide use along roadsides and railroad tracks where C. bushii occurs, Limiting mowing and selective cutting, controlling succession of woody plants and maintain open habitat and obtaining information on life history traits (Wallace 1984).