The large flowers develop in the axils of the leaves, either singly or in groups of up to three, ranging in color from white to lavender.

Growth usually begins in the month of March, with flowering happening anywhere in July or August and eventual seed dispersal in September.

Botanist John Schwegman noted in a 1984 report that a 1973 survey by students at Westview High School in Illinois of the range of I. remota found that the population covered almost the entire northwestern part of the island.

This plan included wiping out other plant species on the island that reduced the sunlight reaching the low-lying I. remota stems by using both chemical methods and controlled burns.

[3] The lack of sustained care for the species resulted in an almost complete eradication of mallow on the island, whereby not a single stem could be found by 2014.

[11][13] Representative Kate Cloonen has stated her support for starting an honorary resolution in the 2016 session of the Illinois General Assembly.