Dwarf Mallow, Low mallow
Malva pusilla

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

Malva pusilla is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. 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. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Waste places, foreshores etc.

Europe. Introduced and locally naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Leaves - raw or cooked. A mild pleasant flavour, it can be used in quantity and makes an excellent salad plant. It is possibly the best for flavour in this genus though it is much lower yielding than the annual M. verticillata 'Crispa' or the perennials M. alcea and M. moschata. Seed - raw or cooked. Best used before it is fully mature, the seed has a pleasant nutty taste but it is rather small and very fiddly to harvest.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The leaves are demulcent and have occasionally been used internally in the treatment of inflammations of the digestive and urinary systems. Externally they have been used as a poultice for bruises, inflammations, piles etc. This plant is less active than the common mallow (M. sylvestris) and the marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis). The seed is demulcent. It is used in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, ulceration of the bladder and haemorrhoids. It is applied externally in the treatment of skin diseases.

Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other

Rating: 1

Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads. The root can be used as a toothbrush.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Teeth: Plants used to clean and care for the teeth.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil, though it prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. This plant has been extensively cultivated as a pot-herb in some countries. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. Plants are prone to infestation by rust fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Although we have seen no reports of toxicity for this species, when grown on nitrogen rich soils (and particularly when these are cultivated inorganically), the leaves of some species tend to concentrate high levels of nitrates in their leaves. The leaves are perfectly wholesome at all other times.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. rotundifolia. L.