Small-flower Mallow, Egyptian mallow
Malva parviflora
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
An erect annual herb. It grows up to 50-100 cm high. The leaves are rounded but heart shaped at the base. They are 2-6 cm across. They have shallow lobes and a wavy edge. There are fine teeth around the edge. The flowers are pink or white. They are about 5 mm across. They are clustered near the base of the leaves. The fruit or nutlets are brown when ripe and the backs are wavy.
There are about 30 Malva species.
Where it is found
It grows in tropical and temperate locations. It grows in neglected pasture. In Bahrain it grows in sandy, gravelly or stony soils. It grows between 15-1,400 m above sea level in Tanzania. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,500 m above sea level. It can grow in salty soils. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Azores, Bahrain, Balkans, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Canary Islands, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, Chad, Chile, Cyprus, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Namibia, New Zealand, Niger, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Sicily, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, West Africa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young leaves picked before the appearance of the flower button are cooked and eaten in soups. They are only eaten in small amounts to improve the consistency. The green fruit are eaten. These can be eaten raw or cooked into many dishes like peas. The ground fruit are used for a creamed vegetable soup.
It is sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit, seeds, flowers
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Leaves are collected during the rainy season.
Its other names
Local names
Amejjir, Balefs, Boecham, Cheeseweed, Djir, Gogisag, Ibeqoula, Imejjir, Itkamotse, Jangli khubasi, Jangli sonchal, Jungali soxal, Kasie, Khobbaiz, Khobbaiza, Khobbeiza, Khubbayzah, Kiesieblaar, Kongatahari, Least mallow, Malva, Malva de flores pequenas, Malva macho, Mamejjirt, Mejjir, Mlenda, Mulkek, Nanna, Narr, Olemwadeni, Ouabejjir, Panirak, Pantrak, Sonchal, Supra, Thobi, Tibbi, Tir 'line, Tollik, Tshiteaduvha, Ts'inrr', Unomolwana