Hollyhock Mallow, Large-flowered Mallow
Malva alcea

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 50 - 100 cm tall. The leaves are dark green above and light green underneath and have deep lobes. They have teeth along the edge. The flowers are mauve-pink. They are 3-9 cm across.

There are about 30 Malva species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 3-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Balkans, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Europe (country/location of origin), Germany, Luxembourg, North America, Slovenia, USA

How it is used for food

The unripe fruit are eaten raw as a snack. The leaves are used in soups and vegetable dishes. The flowers can be eaten in salads.

Edible parts

Seeds, flowers, leaves, oil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Greater musk mallow, Ostrolostni slezenovec, Ruzhoviden slez

Synonyms

Alcea palmata Gilib. [Invalid]; Bismalva alcea (L.) Medik.; Bismalva fastigiata Fourr.; Malva abulensis Cav.; Malva alcea subsp. excisa Holub; Malva alceoides Ten.; Malva bismalva Bernh. ex Lej.; Malva cannabina M.Serres; Malva decumbens Host; Malva excisa Rchb.; Malva intermedia Boreau; Malva italica Pollini; Malva lobata Cav.; Malva moreniana Pollini; Malva morenii Pollini; Malva morisonii Pollini ex Schur;