Malva mohileviensis
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
Malva mohileviensis is a ANNUAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.2
Where it is found
Not known
Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Leaves - raw or cooked. A mild pleasant flavour, they contain 5.5% protein. Seed - raw. Best used before it is fully mature, the seed has a pleasant nutty taste but it is rather small and fiddly to harvest.
Oil: Oil
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Diuretic
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Other
Rating: 2
A fibre is obtained from the stems. It is strong but coarse. The seed contains up to 20% oil, it is used for making soap. Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
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 species is considered to be no more than a form of M. verticillata by some botanists. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. 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:
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.