Common Name: Dwarf Mallow

General Information

Malva pusilla is a much-branched, usually procumbent annual plant, sometimes becoming biennial or even perennial; it can grow from 20 - 50cm tall, with stems on some plants trailing for up to 100cm[, ]. It produces several stems from a long, thin taproot[].
The plant is has a long history of cultivation for food, though it is probably little grown at present. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Malva pusilla is a fast-growing, annual or perennial herb with the capacity to grow forming dense patches in gardens, yards, roadsides, waste ground, orchards, pastures and agricultural fields. It is considered to be hard to control and eradicate because of its long and tough taproots. Among cultivated crops, this species can be very competitive and it can spread very quickly, completely outcompeting cultivated species. It is a cosmopolitan weed found principally in temperate regions of the world, is listed as invasive in Canada, the United States, and the Dominican Republic and in many countries in Europe[].

Known Hazards

Although we have seen no reports of toxicity for this species, when grown on nitrogen rich soils (and particularly when these are cultivated inorganically), the leaves of some species tend to concentrate high levels of nitrates in their leaves[]. The leaves are perfectly wholesome at all other times.

Botanical References

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Range

Eurasia - Norway to Portugal, east to eastern Siberia, central Asia, Afghanistan

Habitat

A cosmopolitan weed, growing in waste places, foreshores, rubbish dumps, gardens, cultivated fields, orchards etc[, , ]. Grassy slopes and open areas[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Malva pusilla is a cold-hardy plant that can tolerate temperatures faling to at least -15°c. It retains the capacity for photosynthesis and respiration even after long periods of exposure to subfreezing and frosts in late autumn[]. It prefers a temperate climate with a clear dry season, though can also tolerate rainfall all year round as well as tropical savannah climates with a dry summer[].
A very easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils, though it dislikes heavy clays[, ]. It prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[].
This plant has been extensively cultivated as a pot-herb in some countries[].
The species is very polymorphous, with a large number of forms over its distribution area[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
Plants are prone to infestation by rust fungus[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. A mild pleasant flavour, it can be used in quantity and makes an excellent salad plant. It is possibly the best for flavour in this genus though it is much lower yielding than the annual Malva verticillata 'Crispa' or the perennials Malva alcea and Malva moschata[].

Seed - raw or cooked[, ]. Best used before it is fully mature, the seed has a pleasant nutty taste but it is rather small and very fiddly to harvest[].

Medicinal

The roots and foliage are rich in mucilage and this can be utilized to treat a number of conditions. They are seldom taken internally, though could be used to soothe the respiratory system plus the urinary and digestive tracts[, ]. A decoction of leaves and roots (sometimes with honey and vinegar added) is used as a gargle for treating inflammatory conditions of the respiratory organs. An infusion of the roots is sometimes drunk as a slimming aid, whilst an infusion of the leaves (usually with milk) is used for its diuretic effect[].
Applied externally, the plant is used to make a poultice for treating bites and stings, bruises, skin inflammations, ulcerations, swellings, haemorrhoids (it can also be applied as an enema when treating haemorrhoids)[, , ].
This plant is less active than the common mallow (Malva sylvestris) and the marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis)[].

The seed is demulcent[]. It is used in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, ulceration of the bladder and haemorrhoids[]. It is applied externally in the treatment of skin diseases[].

Other Uses

Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[].

The dried flowers are used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

The fibrous root can be used as a toothbrush[].

The seeds contain a green-coloured oil, with iodine number 128.0[].

Propagation

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