About Eremalche rotundifolia (A.Gray) Greene
Eremalche rotundifolia is an annual plant that grows 8 to 60 centimeters tall. It has rounded leaves that are 1.5 to 6 centimeters wide with toothed margins. The leaves are round and green, covered in short, bristly hairs. Stems are red to brown, typically unbranched, and covered in similar hairs that are longer than those found on the leaves. Its flowers are dark pink to lilac, with five overlapping petals; each petal has a dark red or purple spot near its base. When fully open, the petals curve slightly inward, giving the flower an almost spherical shape. The flower center holds a ring of light pink stigmas surrounding a group of smaller pink stamens. The petals close at night and reopen the following morning, and the leaves move throughout the day to position themselves to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight.
