Blue mallow, Cheeses
Malva sylvestris

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A plant which has a two year life cycle. It grows to 0.5-1.5 m high. It is often like a shrub. The leaves are hairy and floppy. Each leaf is made up of 5-7 lobes which are wavy. The leaves near the base are 5-10 cm across and rounded in outline with a heart shaped base. The upper leaves are more deeply divided. It has large flowers. They are 4 cm across. They are rosy purple with dark stripes in the centre. The fruit are small brown wrinkled nutlets.

There are about 30 Malva species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It does not grow well on acid soils. It can grow in poor soils but does better in fertile soils. It prefers well drained soils in a sunny position. Plants can stand freezing temperatures. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, NW India, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal - Azores, Madeira Islands, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sicily, Sinai, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, West Indies, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten cooked or raw. They are added to soups. This gives the soups a smooth texture. The immature seeds can be eaten raw. The flowers can be eaten raw. They are used as a garnish. They are also used for tea. The leaves are used as a tea substitute. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat.

The fruit are eaten especially by children. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, stem, seeds, pods, fruit, flowers - tea

How it is grown

It is grown from seed sown where the plants are to grow. Seeds germinate in 2 weeks.

Its other names

Local names

Balba, Colacei, Crni sljez, Develik otu, Ebegumeci, European Splendid Kui, Evelik, Giyapaniroka, Gomec, Gozdni slezenovec, Gprski slez, Gulkhair, High mallow, Jamni phool, Kamilyak, Khabazi, Khalazi, Khawazamary,Khobbeza, Khubasi, Kunzi, Malva, Malva silvestre, Methrai, Molasa, Malasaotu, Moloha, Moloka, Ou Jinkui, Pomo silvestr', Rindziki, Ruppu, Ruppu-ruppu, Samchal, Sannabindigegida, Shonchal, Sirjenak, Sliz, Sljez, Sonchal, Suchanr,Tall mallow, Tibi, Tollka, Vilayati-kangai

Synonyms

Malva mauritiana L.; Malva sylvestris var. incanescens Griseb.; Malva erecta C. Presl.; and others