This species is very similar to the European common mallow (Malva sylvestris) but has pilose instead of glabrous fruit[]

Common Name:

General Information

Malva cathayensis is an erecy, much-branched, biennial to perennial plant growing 50 - 90cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and possibly also for food and as a source of materials. It is often cultivated as an ornamental, especially in China and India[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - northern India

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Biennial/Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil[] and in poor soils[]. It prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[]
The plant is grown as an ornamental in gardens[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
Prone to infestation by rust fungus[].

Edible Uses

We have no specific information on the edibility of this plant, but it is closely related to the European Mallow (Malva sylvestris) and so is likely to have the same uses. These are:-

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , , , ]. Mucilaginous with a mild pleasant flavour, they are nice in soups where they act as a thickener[]. The young leaves also make a very acceptable substitute for lettuce in a salad[].

Immature seed - raw[]. Used as a nibble[], the seeds have a nice nutty flavour[]. They are generally too fiddly for most people to want to gather in quantity, though children in particular can get quite involved in harvesting and eating them[].

Flowers - raw. Added to salads or used as a garnish[]. A pleasant mild flavour, with a similar texture to the leaves, they make a pleasant and pretty addition to the salad bowl[].
The flowers are also used to colour various liquors and vinegar, to enrich the color of certain kinds of red wine, etc[].

The leaves are a tea substitute[, ].

Medicinal

Plants with white flowers are used medicinally[].

We have no further specific information on the medicinal uses of this plant, but it is closely related to the European Mallow (Malva sylvestris) and so is likely to have the same uses. These are:-

Malva sylvestris is a well-known herbal medicine, with a long history of use. All parts of the plant are antiphlogistic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative, salve[, , , , , , ]. The leaves and flowers can be eaten as part of the diet, or a tea can be made from the leaves, flowers or roots[].

The leaves and flowers are the main part used, their demulcent properties making them valuable as a poultice for bruises, inflammations, insect bites etc, or they can be taken internally in the treatment of respiratory system diseases and problems with the digestive tract[, , ]. When combined with eucalyptus the plant makes a good remedy for coughs and other chest ailments[]. The leaves are used to relieve insect bites and stings[].

Mallow has similar properties, but is considered to be inferior to the marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) and is seldom used internally[]. The plant is an excellent laxative for young children[].

The leaves can be used fresh whenever they are available or can be harvested in the spring and dried for later use[]. The flowers are harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[].

Other Uses

We have no specific information on the other uses of this plant, but it is closely related to the European Mallow (Malva sylvestris) and so is likely to have the same uses. These are:-

Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[].
A dye obtained from the flowers can be used to dye wool a blackish-blue or gray colour (with iron as a mordant), or bluish-violet to gray (with aluminum mordant), and dark violet (with lead mordant)[]. The colouring properties are due to the presence in the petals of the glucoside malvin, and the diglucoside malvidin[].

A tincture of the flowers forms a very delicate test for alkalis[, ].

A coarse fibre obtained from the stems is useful for cordage, textiles and paper making[, ]. It is not used commercially[].

The seeds contain 10 - 18% of a a yellow-coloured oil, with an iodine number of 110.7[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.