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Lavatera - L.

Common Name Tree Mallow
Family Malvaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Maritime rocks or waste ground by the sea, to 150 metres[17].
Range Coastal regions of Europe, including Britain, from Franceto the Mediterranean and N. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lavatera Tree Mallow


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jeantosti
Lavatera Tree Mallow
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jeantosti

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lavatera is a BIENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but the leaves are dry and hairy and not that agreeable in quantity on their own[K]. They can be used as part of a chopped mixed salad[K].

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.


A poultice made from the leaves is used to treat sprains[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade[1, 187]. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[200]. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering[200]. Tolerates maritime exposure[200]. Plants are very fast-growing and often flower in their first year from seed[200]. They flower so freely in their second year that they normally die afterwards, though they sometimes perennate[200]. When well sited, this species usually self-sows freely[200]. There are some named forms developed for their ornamental value[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow late summer in situ[200]. The seed should germinate within 4 weeks.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: United Kingdom, Ireland, Albania, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Montenegro, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria (north), Tunisia

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lavatera arboreaTree MallowBiennial3.0 - FLMHNDM21 
Lavatera cachemirianaLavateraPerennial2.4 7-10 FLMHNDM211
Lavatera plebeiaLavateraAnnual/Perennial1.5 -  LMHNDM211
Lavatera speciesTree LavateraShrub2.4 7-10 FLMHNDM20 
Lavatera thuringiacaLavatera, Tree lavateraPerennial1.8 7-10 FLMHNDM301
Lavatera trimestrisAnnual mallowAnnual0.8 0-0 FLMNDM201

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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Subject : Lavatera  
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