Sidalcea Candida, White Checkermallow

Sidalcea candida is most widespread in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and northern New Mexico; its range extends to Wyoming, and across Utah to eastern Nevada. This a a distinctive, easily-recognized species with all-white flowers (occasionally pale pink) that are arranged in a short, relatively dense panicle atop stems up to 3 feet tall. Plants often form clusters, growing from rhizomes.

The five petals, up to 0.8 inches long, are narrow at the base (clawed), and are thin and somewhat translucent, crossed by thicker white veins. Petals are pale yellow when withered. The fused stamens are white, while the anthers are purple-pink.

The palmate leaves are positioned all along the stem, and are variably-spaced. Stems may be glabrous but usually have a sparse to medium covering of short hairs, which are simple towards the base, and mostly star-shaped towards the top.