BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Iliamna rivularis | Wild Hollyhock 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Wild hollyhock is a perennial forb with one to several stems arising
from a woody caudex.  It reaches 24 to 80 inches (60-200 cm) in height
[10].  Flowers are on stout stalks in dense axillary or terminal
clusters [17].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Hemicryptophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Wild hollyhock reproduces by seed and is not rhizomatous [22].  Seeds
have no dispersal mechanism and are stored in the soil, remaining up to
91 percent viable for long periods of time.  The majority of the seeds
(around 75 percent) are buried 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) below the soil
surface, with the remainder buried in the top 2 inches (0-5 cm).  One
study reported 8 to 137 viable wild hollyhock seeds per square foot
(84-1,470 seeds/sq m) in mature grand fir habitats in central Idaho.
Seeds have a smooth, hard coat and require a heat treatment for
germination.  This fact, in addition to high seed density, depth of
burial, and high viability, provides for long-term survival in the
seedbank [15].  Wild hollyhock seeds remain viable for at least a few
hundred years [28].  Germination takes place in full sun, most often
following fire [23].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Wild hollyhock commonly grows on forested slopes, in meadows, along
streambanks, and in disturbed areas [7,10,17].  It occurs on mesic sites
in deep, moist, but well-drained soil [17].  It has been found to 11,500
feet (3,490 m) elevation in Colorado [10], and 9,570 feet (2900 m)
elevation in Utah [30].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Obligate Initial Community Species

Wild hollyhock is a shade-intolerant, early seral species [15,27].  It
becomes abundant following disturbance such as clearcutting, broadcast
burning, and wildfire, and flowers profusely in full sun [22].  Wild
hollyhock is quickly eliminated from post-disturbance communities when
overtopped by other vegetation [15].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Wild hollyhock flowers from June to August in the Pacific Northwest [17].

Related categories for Species: Iliamna rivularis | Wild Hollyhock