Common Name: Mallow

General Information

Malva sylvestris is a usually biennial plant, though sometimes it can be annual or a short-lived perennial. The erect stems are usually branched, the plant growing 30 - 120cm tall, exceptionally to 300cm[, ].
The common mallow has been known as a useful plant since early antiquity, and was cultivated in the gardens of ancient Greeks and Romans as a medicinal and edible plant[]. It is still sometimes cultivated as a food crop, and is sold in local markets[]. It is also often grown as an ornamental, there are some named cultivars.
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in many countries including many in North, South and Central America, and also in New Zealand and Australia.

Known Hazards

When grown on nitrogen rich soils (and particularly when these are cultivated inorganically), the plant tends to concentrate high levels of nitrates in its leaves[]. The leaves are perfectly wholesome at all other times.

Botanical References

,

Range

Eurasia - Britain to Portugal, east through Ciscaucasia and Turkey to Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, the Himalayas; N. Africa - Morocco to Egypt and Levant

Habitat

Waste ground, field verges and roadsides, avoiding acid soils[, , ]. Shrub thickets, open woods, parks, gardens, waste places, orchards, cereal fields, field borders, waysides and fences[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Biennial/Perennial
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Malva sylvestris is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[].
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[], where it will produce a better crop of salad leaves[].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[].
'Mauritiana' is larger than the type with much more ornamental flowers[]. The flavour of the leaves and flowers of this cultivar is considered by many to be superior to the type species[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
Prone to infestation by rust fungus[].

Edible Uses

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

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

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[].

An extract of the leaves, flowers and stems is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an astringent, emollient, skin conditioner, smoothing and soothing agent[].
The seed is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
An extract of the callus of Malva sylvestris, grown in culture, is an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, hair conditioner, humectant, skin conditioner and skin protector[].

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.