Mallow of Nice, French mallow
Malva nicaeensis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

An annual or biennial herb. It grows 40 cm tall. It has soft wooly hairs. The flower petals are dark lilac and without darker veins. They are 7-12 mm long. The fruit stalks are longer than least mallow (Malva parviflora). They are 10 mm long or longer.

There are about 30 Malva species.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 700 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Arabia, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Central Asia, Chile, Europe, France, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Middle East, Morocco, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, Sicily, South America, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled and seasoned with lemon and oil then eaten. The young fruits are eaten raw as a snack. The leaves are cooked, mixed with flour then cooked again and eaten. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bull mallow, Develik, Ebegumeci, Helmit, Hubeza, Ilmikotu, Kabaot, Khubbayzah, Malva comun, Malva enana, Malva rastrera, Syrian marjarom

Synonyms

Althaea nicaeensis (All.) Alef.;