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Buttonweed Malva neglecta

Other plants called Buttonweed:

Phonetic Spelling
MAL-vuh ne-GLEK-tuh
Description

The common mallow grows in any areas where the soil has been disturbed. It is from the family Malvaceae, which includes a number of desirable plants, most notably cotton, hibiscus, and okra. One species of this family (Althaea officinalis) is actually the original ingredient in the making of marshmallows.   This plant is considered an invasive weed in the United States.  It is often referred to as an annual, winter annual, or biennial plant because it can be found growing all year.

Mallows only reproduce by seed and their seeds have a very thick coat which slows germination but allows them to survive for quite some time in the soil.  If the seed coat gets nicked or damaged in any way, water can penetrate and the seed will germinate.

Seedlings send out a taproot that quickly becomes woody and is difficult to remove by hand or even with tools.  Removing seedlings before they have less than four true leaves is best.  Removing plants before they flower and go to seed is essential to keeping the seeds out of the soil for future seasons. Solarization and flaming are not effective weed treatments.

The Common mallow is easily confused with the Common Carolina geranium weed.  However, the geranium weed has more deeply-dissected leaves.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#edible weed#purple flowers#pink flowers#edible garden#gray-green leaves#partial shade tolerant#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#edible weed#purple flowers#pink flowers#edible garden#gray-green leaves#partial shade tolerant#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Malva
    Species:
    neglecta
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Distribution:
    Almost every state in the US
    Edibility:
    The leaves and seeds are edible
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Perennial
    Weed
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    This plant is often called Cheese weed or Cheese plant because the seeds form in a round flattened pod that looks like a wheel of cheese or a pumpkin. There are 10-12 seeds per pod.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Flowers appear in the summer as showy papery white, to light pink to light purple, 5-petaled blooms. The petals are notched at the tip so a blossom may appear to have 10 petals.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    This plant has rounded fuzzy gray-green leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No