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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lavatera plebeia is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. plebeja. Sims.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked. Root - raw or cooked[177]. A parsnip-like consistency[46, 144, 154].

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.
Poultice

The leaves are used as a poultice[152].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre

A strong fibre obtained from the stems is used for making string, bags, paper etc[154, 156].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. In Australian gardens it succeeds in most soils in a warm sunny position. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in any ordinary garden soil[1]. 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].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lavatera arborea	Tree Mallow	Biennial	3.0	-	F	LMH	N	DM	2	1
Lavatera cachemiriana	Lavatera	Perennial	2.4	7-10	F	LMH	N	DM	2	1	1
Lavatera species	Tree Lavatera	Shrub	2.4	7-10	F	LMH	N	DM	2	0
Lavatera thuringiaca	Lavatera, Tree lavatera	Perennial	1.8	7-10	F	LMH	N	DM	3	0	1
Lavatera trimestris	Annual mallow	Annual	0.8	0-0	F	LM	N	DM	2	0	1

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.

Lavatera plebeia - Sims.