Gierisch mallow is a perennial, flowering member of the mallow family. S. gierischii is only found on gypsum outcrops associated with the Harrisburg Member of the Kaibab Formation in northern Mohave County, Arizona and closely adjacent Washington County, Utah (Atwood and Welsh 2002, p. 161). The surrounding plant community is that of warm desertscrub (Mohave desertscrub). We know very little about the life history of this species, since it was only recently described. We believe it is a perennial because it is woody at the base and the same individuals have been observed for more than one year. It dies back to the ground during the winter and re-sprouts from the base during late winter and spring (January-March), depending on daytime temperatures and rainfall. We do not know how the flowers are pollinated, the pollination system (self-pollinated or obligate out crosser), seed dispersal mechanisms, or the conditions under which seeds germinate. Young plants have been observed on reclaimed areas within the gypsum mining area (Service 2008, p. 1).