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Malva neglecta is often confused with:
Glechoma hederacea Leaves
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Nepeta cataria Nepta cataria
Ocimum basilicum Ocimum basilicum
Stokesia laevis Flowers and buds June 2021 Cabarrus

Dwarf Mallow Malva neglecta

Phonetic Spelling
MAL-vuh ne-GLEK-tuh
Description

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:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#edible weed#purple flowers#pink flowers#herbaceous perennial#edible garden#gray-green leaves#taproot#vine#partial shade tolerant#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#edible weed#purple flowers#pink flowers#herbaceous perennial#edible garden#gray-green leaves#taproot#vine#partial shade tolerant#weed
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Vine
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Horizontal
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stems have abundant white hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Weedy