Common Name: Tree Mallow

General Information

Malva arborea is a biennial to perennial plant with erect stems that can become more or less woody and persist; it can grow 100 - 300cm tall[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, and possibly also as a food. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Malva arborea is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens. It has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in varios countries, including western N. America, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Coastal regions of Europe and N. Africa from Britain south to Portugal and Macaronesia, east to Greece and Tunisia; W. Asia - Turkey

Habitat

Maritime rocks or waste ground by the sea, to 150 metres[]. Disturbed areas, coastal bluffs, dunes; at elevations up to 200 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Biennial
Height	1.50 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade[, ]. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[]. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering[]. Tolerates maritime exposure[].
Plants are very fast-growing and often flower in their first year from seed[]. They flower so freely in their second year that they normally die afterwards, though they sometimes perennate[]. When well sited, this species usually self-sows freely[].
There are some named forms developed for their ornamental value[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but the leaves are dry and hairy and not that agreeable in quantity on their own[]. They can be used as part of a chopped mixed salad[].

Medicinal

A poultice made from the leaves is used to treat sprains[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow late summer in situ[]. The seed should germinate within 4 weeks.