Dwarf mallow
Malva pusilla

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow each year from seeds or keep growing for 2 years. It has long tough taproots. The stems can be 50 cm long. The leaves are alternate along the stem. They are an oval shaped and have teeth along the edge. The flowers have 5 petals and are white or pink. There are 8-10 seeds for each flower.

There are about 30 Malva species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate climate plant. It grows in grassland. It is best in moist fertile soil and in a sunny position. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Armenia, Balkans, Belarus, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, China, Estonia, Europe, France, Germany, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, North America, Russia, Slovakia, South America, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young fruit are eaten raw. The leaves are used in soups and salads.

The fruit are eaten by children as a snack. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, fruit, stems, nectar

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds need a temperature of 15-20°C to germinate.

Its other names

Local names

Colacei marunti, Dreben slez, Ghelut, Havi takhtik, Kassinaerid, Kassirattad, Low mallow, Pagacica, Panbozkove kolacky, Phiphert, Pipert, Pishink, Round-leaved mallow, Teluk, Yagodki

Synonyms

Malva lignescens Iljin; Malva rotundifolia L.;