We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Malva?

By Helga George
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,165
Share

Malva is a genus of approximately 30 species of plants known as mallows that are found in the Malvaceae family. Some are perennials that are grown as ornamental plants. Other species are annuals or biennials and, in addition, are invasive weeds, particularly in the Americas and Australia. Mallows have been used as food and medicine by humans in various cultures since 6000 BC. Other plants known as mallows are found in other genera of this family.

Perennial flowers from this family include the common mallow, Malva sylvestris, a species that has been bred to produce several varieties used as garden flowers. The cultivar known as Braveheart tree mallow was the Perennial of the Month in July 2005. It grows to between 3 and 5 feet (0.9 and 1.5 m) high, and produces 2-inch (5 cm) mauve or pink flowers with dark veins. Other popular cultivars include Zebrinus and Marina, which both feature purple stripes, on pink or violet-blue flowers, respectively. These type of plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

The hollyhock mallow, or Malva alcea, is another perennial mallow grown in gardens. This species is drought-tolerant in the Northeast and Midwest. It also prefers full sun.

In contrast, Malva neglecta, also known as the common mallow, along with little mallow, or Malva parviflora, are invasive weeds on several continents. Both of these species are also known as cheeseweed, because the small fruit are in the shape of a cheese wheel. They can be distinguished by the size of the plants and flowers, and the appearance of the fruit.

The common mallow is prostrate, while the little mallow can grow up to 6.5 feet (2 m) tall. Its flowers are larger, and its fruit are smooth and not wrinkled, like those of the little mallow. Both species are found in nearly every state of the U.S., much of Canada, and all of the Australian states. They are generally annuals or biennials, but can live as perennials for short periods.

Cheeseweeds are extremely difficult to eradicate once they have infested a field or landscape. They are one of the few weeds that are not killed by glyphosphate or even by flaming. The seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to 100 years. Seeds capable of producing plants were recovered from adobe bricks 200 years old in Mexico. Additionally, the plants quickly grow a deep taproot that is very difficult to remove from the soil.

It is advised to pull the plants when they are young, ideally with four leaves. If the plants have grown large, one should use a hoe or cultivator to sever the root beneath the soil surface. When mowers are used, the cheeseweeds will just grow back. The broadleaf herbicide 2,4-D has some effect on young plants. A thick layer of mulch will prevent the seeds from germinating.

These weeds have become more of an agricultural problem with the increase in fields of crops that are maintained without tilling. Large numbers of these plants can reduce crop yields. Also, they can harbor many pathogens and insects that affect crops. This can also be an issue in gardens.

Cheeseweeds are an alternate host for the rust that infects hollyhocks, a closely related species. Mallows grow quite well with colonies of rust on their leaves. Hollyhock plants, however, are greatly debilitated when they are colonized by hollyhock rust. For this reason, it is strongly recommended, when one grows hollyhocks, to remove any mallows in the area.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-malva.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.