Curly mallow is an outstanding edible leafy vegetable with a long history of cultivation and use. Although it has little practical value to southwestern US foragers because it hasn't established in the region, it remains one of the finest members of the Malva genus and demonstrates the considerable food potential of mallows as a group [2-3]. The roots, young shoots, leaves, flower buds, flowers, and immature fruits are edible, either raw or cooked. As with other mallows, the plant contains abundant mucilage and may have a mild laxative effect if consumed in large quantities [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 5 out of 5 – An excellent edible mallow with a long history of cultivation as a leafy vegetable, although rarely encountered in the Southwest US [2-3]. Taste and Preparation: Like other members of the Malva genus, curly mallow can be eaten raw or cooked, but cooking generally improves both flavor and texture. When simmered, the leaves soften and become tender and add body to soups and stews because of their natural mucilage. This mucilage gives cooked dishes a characteristic thickness many traditional cuisines appreciate. Young shoots, flower buds, flowers, and immature fruits can also be used as vegetables. Harvest immature fruits when they are still soft, as they become tough with age. The roots are edible and starchy, although they are generally less important than the leaves [2-3]. Seasonality: Curly mallow produces fresh foliage throughout the growing season under favorable conditions. In regions where it is cultivated, you can harvest leaves repeatedly while the plant continues to grow. Traditional Uses: People have cultivated curly mallow as a leafy vegetable throughout history and have long valued it as a food crop in parts of Asia. Despite its importance elsewhere, it has never become established in the southwestern United States, so it has little practical value to foragers in that region [2-3]. Safety: Curly mallow is generally regarded as a safe edible plant. Like other mallows, its high mucilage content may have a mild laxative effect if eaten in very large quantities [2-3]. Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 51, 61, 100, 183]. The leaves of well-grown plants can be 15cm or more across. They have a mild and very pleasant flavour that makes an excellent addition to salads[K]. We use them as a tasty alternative to the lettuce[K]. Young seeds - raw or cooked. Used when green and immature[85]. A pleasant nutty taste but the seed is too small and fiddly for most people to want to harvest[K].

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The seed contains mucilage, polysaccharides and flavonoids[279]. It is demulcent, diuretic, emollient, galactogogue and laxative[147, 176, 218]. The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, where they are considered to have a sweet and astringent taste plus a heating potency[241]. They are used in the treatment of renal disorders, the retention of fluids, frequent thirst and diarrhoea[241]. The root is used to cause vomiting in the treatment of whooping cough[240]. The leaves and stems are said to be digestive[240]. They are given to women in the advanced stages of pregnancy[240].

Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[168]. An extract of the leaves, flowers and stems is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[1243]. An essential oil obtained from the seeds is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an emollient and skin conditioner[1243 ]. The following were listed under Malva meluca and mohileviensis (both now considered to be synonyms of this species) The seed contains up to 10 - 20% of a greenish oil with an iodine number 116.9[74 ]. It is used for making soap[74 ]. The fibre obtained from the stem is a useful substitute for jute in cordage production. The fibre is strong, but somewhat coarse and brittle. It is inferior in quality to kenaf and hemp. The fibre has a breaking strength of 14 kilos without a knot and 9 - 10 kilos with a knot[74 ]. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects, while the foliage supports various herbivorous insects.

Special Uses