Purple Poppy Mallow

Includes: Purple Poppy Mallow

Folk Names: Wine Cup, Buffalo Rose

Scientific Names: Callirhoe Involucrata

Conservation Status: Not Assessed

Native Regions: AR, CO, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, NE, NM, OK, TX, WY (USA)

Naturalized Regions: AZ, FL, IL, IN, KN, MI, ND, OR, PA, VA, WI (USA)

Invasive Regions: Unknown

Physical Description:

Scent Description:

Oil Product Description:

Scent Synergies:

Wildlife and Livestock Uses: Is a nectar source with special value for a large number of Native Bees; attractant for Nectar-Bees, Butterflies, Hoverflies, and Predatory Wasps. Minimal deer resistance; semi-evergreen leaves are a common late season food source for Rabbits and Groundhogs. Can also be used to bulk up forage and greens mixes for Livestock- especially during dry seasons.

Plays Larval Host for the Gray Hairstreak (Strymon Melinus), and is primary food source for the Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus Communis) Caterpillar in particular.

Gardening Uses: A showy ornamental that’s easily grown and long-blooming, it’s particularly valued for its color (Ka'igwu / Kiowa Tribe); blooms white, pink, or purple through Mar, Apr, May, and June (sometimes as late as Aug)- though primary color in the wild is a deep maroon to reddish purple; spreads roughly 3 feet from taproot and can be between 6 inches to a foot “tall”.

Makes an excellent groundcover alone or mixed in a grassy area. Great for border areas and rock gardens in particular. May also be planted in a hanging basket in which trailing stems cascade over the sides- though application is not recommended, as a taproot plant.

Handling Concerns: None

Growing Concerns: Full (complete) Sun to Partial (dappled) Shade. Dry to Moist soil- preferring well drained, acid based mediums such as Clay, Loam, and Sand. Medium water use but drought resistant due to taproot.

Medicinal Uses: Crushed, dried roots are burned and the smoke inhaled for head colds. Aching limbs are also exposed to the smoke to reduce pain. Taproot decoction can be used as an additional pain killer; Tea made from the boiled root drunk for internal pains, and as bath for aching body parts (Dakȟóta / Dakota Tribe).

Compounds Known:

Concerns & Contraindications:

Culinary Uses: Taproot can be harvested in late Summer and fall starting in Aug to Sep; tastes like Sweet Potato. Leaves can be used to thicken soups and stews, and other liquids (Ni Okašką / Osage Nation).

Practical Uses:

Magical Uses:

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