Musk mallow, Cut-leaf Mallow
Malva moschata
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 60-100 cm high and spreads 45 cm wide. The leaves are mid green and narrow and finely cut. They are divided like fingers on a hand. They have a musk smell when crushed. The flowers are saucer shaped and rose-pink. They occur singly in the axils of the upper leaves. The petals are 20-35 mm long and twice as long as the sepals. The fruit are nutlets with long white hairs.
There are about 30 Malva species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It usually grows on dry fertile soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to frost and drought. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Argentina, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA
How it is used for food
The young shoots are cooked as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, seeds
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seed or division.
Its other names
Local names
Moskuskattost, Sljez livadski