Mauve, Cheeses, Red-flowered mallow, Bristly mallow
Modiola caroliniana

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow each year from seed or last for a few years. It forms roots at the nodes. It grows about 25 cm tall. The leaves are broadly oval and 3-4 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. There are 3-7 lobes. These have teeth. The flowers are red of orange. The fruit is a capsule 7-9 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Antilles, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America (country/location of origin), Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Europe, Haiti, Jamaica, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, North America, Paraguay, Slovenia, South America (country/location of origin), Tasmania, Uruguay, USA, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

A few leaves are soaked for 2-3 hours in water to make a drink.

Edible parts

Leaves - drink

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Malva del campo, Malva del potro, Mercurio, Palapala, Pila pila, Sana todo

Synonyms

Malva caroliniana L.; Malva eriocarpa DC.; Malva malvifolia Griseb.; and others