Dwarf Mallow Malva neglecta
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MAL-vuh ne-GLEK-tuh
- Description
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Common Mallow is a flowering, branching vine that grows in any areas where the soil has been disturbed often reaching 3 feet in length. In open areas, it tends to form a mat of leaves and stems across the ground that can extend several feet. It is from the Mallow family, 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. Common Mallow is considered an invasive weed in some states.
Common Mallow is a herbaceous perennial, although it is often referred to as an annual, winter annual, or biennial plant because it can be found growing all year. The Common Mallow prefers full sun, moist to slightly dry, fertile loamy soil. It will adapt to different soil types. During a drought, some of the lower leaves on the vine may wither away. This plant can survive irregular mowing or occasional attacks from a weed-whacker.
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 taproots that quickly becomes woody and are 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.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to rust fungus.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Malva
- Species:
- neglecta
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canary Islands, Morocco, Europe, Cental Asia
- Distribution:
- Canada, South America, most United States
- Edibility:
- The leaves and seeds are edible. Mature seeds should be cooked like rice or grains
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Vine
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Horizontal
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Schizocarp
- 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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers appear 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. A short flowering stalk (peduncle) about 1 inch long will produce 1 to 3 flowers, each about ¾ of an inch across with 5 slightly notched petals. In the absence of a major disturbance, the blooming period usually occurs during the summer and lasts about 2-3 months. However, some plants will bloom during late spring or early fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Reniform
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves, 2 1/2 by 3 inches, occur on long petioles along the stems. The petioles are about twice as long as the leaves. The palmate leaves are orbicular to kidney-shaped (reniform), with 5 or more shallow lobes. They are deeply indented at the base and often have short hairs across the upper or lower surface.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems have abundant white hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Slope/Bank
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Weedy
