Prickly malvastrum
Malvastrum coromandelianum

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 0.2-1.5 m high. It is hairy. The leaves are 1-7 cm long and 1-4 cm wide. The flowers are yellow or red. The flowers are in the axils and can occur singly or be in groups. The fruit are round and in groups of 8-14 and 2 mm across.

There are about 15 Malvastrum species. They are mostly in the tropics and warm temperate regions.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical places. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,200-1,550 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Chuuk, Colombia, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Fiji, FSM, Guiana, Guyana, India, Indochina, Japan, Laos, Malawi, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niue, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Rotuma, Ryukyu, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Vietnam, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young tender leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The seeds are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used as a condiment.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, seeds, bark

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chirubenda, Hoangmanh, Kharenti, Sam-zalik, Siyoyinen, Taw-pilaw

Synonyms

Malvastrum tricuspidatum A.Gray; Malva carpimfolia Desr.; Malva coromandeliana L.; Malva tricuspidata A. Gray;