W. Carl Taylor. USDA NRCS. 1992
Margaret Williams, Courtesy of Nevada Native Plant Society
Stewart Robert Hinsley, 2006
The leaves of I. rivularis are similar in appearance to maple leaves with 5 to 7 triangular lobes and serrate edges (Fryxell, 1997). The leaves are large when fully developed, with lengths and widths reaching 20cm.
I. rivularis produces fragrant flowers that can measure from 1.5 to 6cm in diameter. They can also range in color from white to pink to rose-purple (Fryxell, 1997). The flowers develop from short pedicels attached to a long spike.
This species of Iliamna is shade-intolerant will grow to between 60 and 200cm in height depending on how soon it is overshadowed. When overshadowed, I. rivularis is quickly eliminated in post-disturbance areas (Kramer, 1984). Also, this hollyhock grows well in Utah as it is hemicryptophytic – survives inclement weather by having a perrinating bud that rests on the soil surface (Harrington, 1964).
I. rivularis reproduces via seed production, but without a dispersal mechanism to spread them. The seeds drop to the ground near the parent and can bury themselves in the soil up to 10cm down. They also can remain viable for more than 90 years as hollyhock seeds require heat to trigger germination.
Links
http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/ASP/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=2310
http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ILRI
http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Iliamna/Gallery.html
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?70370
References
Welsh, Stanley L.; Atwood, N. Duane; Goodrich, Sherel; Higgins, Larry C., eds. 1987. A Utah flora. Great Basin Naturalist Memoir No. 9. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University
Fryxell, Paul A., The American Genera of Malvaceae-II. Brittonia, Vol. 49, No. 2. (Apr. - Jun., 1997)
Harrington, H. D., 1964. Manual of the plants of Colorado. 2d ed. Chicago: The Swallow Press Inc.
Kramer, Neal B. 1984. Mature forest seed banks on three habitat types in central Idaho. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho. Thesis