Checkerbloom is a low-growing perennial, usually reaching 6 to 24 inches in height. feature delicate, five-petaled flowers in shades of pale to bright pink.
A key identifying mark is the "checker" pattern—white, lacy veins that run through the petals.
Checkerblooms thrive in sunny meadows, coastal prairies, and even rocky slopes, making them a favorite of pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Checkerblooms have a unique daily rhythm: most species open their flowers in the morning and close them at night.
Checkerblooms belong to the mallow family (Malvaceae), a group that also includes hibiscus, okra, and cotton. So these plants with the pretty pink flowers share a botanical kinship with some of the world’s most famous crops.
Photo by Don Blohowiak
Photo by Jeri Passalaqua