Arizona Weeds lists six species of Sphaeralcea on pages 214 - 217 and mentions that the 16 species native to Arizona are difficult to distinguish. The Biota of North America Program lists 28 species and 17 subspecies, all of which are native to western North America. One of the most common species, Sphaeralcea coccinea (= Malvastrum coccineum) is listed in five different weed reference books. However, in the opinion of this author, these are native wildflowers and are erroneously included in any `weeds` book. Of the species listed in Arizona Weeds, only one is listed by WSSA. In general members of this genus live in dry habitats, have red-orange flowers, and palmately veined leaves covered with star-shaped hairs. This is one of very few instances in this program where a genus is used rather than separate species.