Annual mallow, Regal mallow, Rose mallow, Royal mallow
Lavatera trimestris

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

An annual upright bushy plant. It grows 60-90 cm high and 35-45 cm wide. It has few branches. The leaf stalk is 3-7 cm long. The leaf blade is kidney shaped and 2-5 cm long by 2.5-7 cm wide. The leaves are mid-green and lobed. Flowers are single and in the axils of leaves. The flowers are open and funnel-shaped. They are 8-10 cm across. Flowers can be pink, red or white.

There are about 25 Lavatera species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It is grown in N China. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, China, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, SE Asia, Sicily, Slovenia, Spain, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves and young plants are eaten raw or cooked. They are also roasted and powdered. The flowers are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

La-hoa, Marvuni, San yue hua kui, Vrtni grmičasti oslez

Synonyms

Althaea africana (Mill.) Borbas; Althaea trimestris (L.) Kuntze; Lavatera africana Mill.; Malva trimestris (L.) Salisb.; Stegia trimestris (L.) Risso;