Malvastrum lateritium
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
Malvastrum lateritium is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.7
Where it is found
Not known
Southern South America - Argentina.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Leaves - raw or cooked. The young leaves have a pleasant mild flavour with a mucilaginous texture, they make an acceptable addition to a mixed salad. Flowers - raw.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The plant produces long trailing stems and can be used for ground cover.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil. One report says that it grows and flowers best in a sun-baked nitrogen-starved soil, whilst another says that it requires a rich soil to do well. This species is not very cold tolerant, but will usually survive wnters outdoors in southern Britain. The plant produes long trailing stems, it is a weak climber, but grows well as a creeping plant where its stems make an effective ground cover.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in early spring in a cold frame. The seed germinates quickly and easily. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in protected conditions for their first winter. Plant them out in their permanent positions in the early summer. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of side shoots, July/August in a cold frame.
Best place to grow: Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist