Family: Malvaceae
low mallow
[Malva rotundifolia L.]
Robert Bierman
Merel R. Black
Etymology: Malva: a Latin name for mallow taken from the Greek malache, or malakos, referring to the leaves and an ointment made from the seeds which was supposed to be soothing to the skin
Plants: erect to drooping, annual/biennial/perennial, up to 3' tall forb usually branched from the base
Leaves: long-stalked, round to kidney-shaped with 5-9 shallow lobes, rounded teeth, mostly with a heart-shaped base
Flowers: white to light pink, 5-parted, 1/2"-1" wide, petals 2 times as long as the sepals, 3 very small bracts below; inflorescence a small cluster from the leaf axils; blooms June-Oct.
Habitat: disturbed sites, farmyards, gardens
Plants: erect to drooping, annual/biennial/perennial, up to 3' tall forb usually branched from the base
Leaves: long-stalked, round to kidney-shaped with 5-9 shallow lobes, rounded teeth, mostly with a heart-shaped base
Flowers: white to light pink, 5-parted, 1/2"-1" wide, petals 2 times as long as the sepals, 3 very small bracts below; inflorescence a small cluster from the leaf axils; blooms June-Oct.
Habitat: disturbed sites, farmyards, gardens
USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Matthew L. Wagner
Matthew L. Wagner
Botanical Illustration
from USDA Plants website
