It's currently 72 degrees in the shade in the back yard, and Eggbert has emerged. He didn't see his shadow thus spring must be here... I'm in north Phoenix, and am hoping the warm temperatures are here to stay...
The plant is a globe mallow. It grew very large over the winter and does a nice job of hiding the entrance to Eggbert's burrow. Eggbert will eat the leaves, but prefers the abundant orange flowers it produces.