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(c) 2010 Ken Fern & Plants For A Future |
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| (c) 2010 Ken Fern & Plants For A Future |
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Summary
Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Malva sylvestris is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Althaea godronii. Althaea mauritiana. Malva ambigua. Malva erecta. Malva mauritiana.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedgerow;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed
Edible Uses: Tea
Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 4, 7, 9, 94, 183]. Mucilaginous with a mild pleasant flavour, they are nice in soups where they act as a thickener[5]. The young leaves also make a very acceptable substitute for lettuce in a salad[K]. Immature seed - raw[183]. Used as a nibble[183], the seeds have a nice nutty flavour[12] but are too fiddly for most people to want to gather in quantity[K]. Flowers - raw. Added to salads or used as a garnish[183]. A pleasant mild flavour, with a similar texture to the leaves, they make a pleasant and pretty addition to the salad bowl[K]. The leaves are a tea substitute[46, 183].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic Astringent Demulcent Diuretic Emollient Expectorant Laxative Salve
All parts of the plant are antiphlogistic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative, salve[4, 7, 9, 21, 46, 222, 238]. The leaves and flowers can be eaten as part of the diet, or a tea can be made from the leaves, flowers or roots[222]. The leaves and flowers are the main part used, their demulcent properties making them valuable as a poultice for bruise, inflammations, insect bites etc, or they can be taken internally in the treatment of respiratory system diseases and problems with the digestive tract[4, 238, 254]. When combined with eucalyptus it makes a god remedy for coughs and other chest ailments[254]. Mallow has similar properties, but is considered to be inferior to the marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) and are seldom used internally[4]. The plant is an excellent laxative for young children[7]. The leaves can be used fresh whenever they are available or can be harvested in the spring and dried for later use[254]. The flowers are harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[254]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Malva sylvestris for cough, bronchitis, inflammation of the mouth and pharynx (see [302] for critics of commission E).
References More on Medicinal Uses
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An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.
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Other Uses
Dye Fibre Litmus
Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[168]. A tincture of the flowers forms a very delicate test for alkalis[4, 115]. The leaves are used to relieve insect bites and stings[53]. A fibre obtained from the stems is useful for cordage, textiles and paper making[115].
Special Uses
Dynamic accumulator Food Forest
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Border, Massing. A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil[1] and in poor soils[238]. It prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200], where it will produce a better crop of salad leaves[K]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[187]. 'Mauritiana' is larger than the type with much more ornamental flowers[187]. The flavour of the leaves and flowers is considered by many to be superior to the type species[183]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. Prone to infestation by rust fungus[200]. Special Features:
Not North American native, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Abelmoschus esculentus | Okra | Annual | 1.0 |
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| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Abelmoschus manihot | Aibika | Perennial | 3.0 |
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| F | LMH | N | M | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Abroma augusta | Cotton Abroma. Perennial Indian Hemp. | Shrub | 3.0 |
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| F | LMH | N | M | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Abutilon megapotamicum | Trailing Abutilon | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Abutilon ochsenii | | Shrub | 4.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon pictum | Abutilon, Parlour Maple, Flowering Maple, Spotted | Shrub | 5.0 |
8-10
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon purpurascens | | Shrub | 2.4 |
8-11
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Abutilon species | | Shrub | 3.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon theophrasti | China Jute, Velvetleaf, Butterprint Buttonweed Jute, China Mallow, Indian Velvet Leaf | Annual | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Abutilon vitifolium | | Shrub | 8.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon x hybridum | Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple | Shrub | 3.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Abutilon x milleri | Trailing Abutilon | Shrub | 3.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon x suntense | | Shrub | 8.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Adansonia digitata | Baobab, Judas Fruit, Monkey Bread Tree | Tree | 20.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Alcea rosea | Hollyhock | Perennial | 2.4 |
5-9
| F | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Althaea cannabina | Palm-leaf marshmallow | Perennial | 1.8 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Althaea officinalis | Marsh Mallow, Common marshmallow | Perennial | 1.2 |
3-7
| | LMH | N | DM | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Bombax ceiba | Red Silk Cotton Tree, Kapok Tree | Tree | 25.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Burretiodendron hsienmu | Hsienmu wood | Tree | 35.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | M | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Callirhoe digitata | Finger Poppy Mallow, Winecup | Perennial | 0.9 |
4-8
| | L | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Callirhoe involucrata | Poppy Mallow, Purple poppymallow, Winecup, Finger Poppy Mallow | Perennial | 0.2 |
4-8
| M | L | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Callirhoe leiocarpa | Tall Poppy-Mallow | Annual | 0.9 |
5-9
| | L | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Ceiba aesculifolia | Pochote | Tree | 25.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Ceiba pentandra | Kapok Tree, Cotton Tree, Suma'ma | Tree | 50.0 |
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| F | MH | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Clappertonia ficifolia | Bolo Bolo | Shrub | 2.5 |
10-12
| F | LM | N | MWe | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Cola acuminata | Cola Nut, Kola, Bissy Nut | Tree | 20.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | M | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Cola nitida | Cola Nut, Kola, Bissy Nuts | Tree | 20.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Durio dulcis | Durian Marangang, Merangang, Red Durian, Tutong, Lahong | Tree | 30.0 |
11-12
| M | LMH | N | M | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Durio zibethinus | Durian | Tree | 30.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | M | 5 | 1 | 2 |
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
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