Malva alcea
L.
Vervain mallow, Hollyhock Mallow
no rights reserved, uploaded by Maurizio
(c) esdena, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by esdena
What to Eat
Edible parts: Flowers, Leaves, Oil, Oil, Seed
Oil. Leaves - raw or cooked. A mild pleasant flavour. The leaves are mucilaginous and fairly bland, this is a very good perennial substitute for lettuce in a salad, producing fresh leaves from spring until the middle of summer, or until the autumn from self-sown plants. Flowers - raw. A very decorative addition to the salad bowl, they have a mild flavour and a texture similar to the leaves. Seed - raw. Best used before it is fully mature, the seed has a pleasant nutty taste but it is rather small and fiddly to harvest.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Europe. An occasional casual in Britain.
TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey. EUROPE: Denmark, Sweden (south), Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part, European part (west), Moldova, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia), Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica),
How to Identify
Malva alcea is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil, though it prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. A very ornamental and polymorphic plant. It tends to be quite short-lived in cultivation but usually self-sows when well-sited. It is closely related to M. excisa. If the plant is cut back to the ground as it comes into flower, then it will produce a fresh flush of leaves for salads. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and are seldom bothered by slugs. Plants are prone to infestation by rust fungus. Leaves and flowers can be harvested in late spring to summer depending on the species and climate. Mallow typically flowers from late spring to summer. Mallow has a moderate growth rate and can establish itself quickly, often producing flowers within the first year of growth.
Propagation: Seed - best sown in early spring in a cold frame. The seed germinates quickly and easily. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in their permanent positions in the early summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in the middle to late spring. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Medicinal Uses
Demulcent Mouthwash. The leaves are demulcent. They are also used as a mouthwash for inflammatory and catarrhal conditions.
Other Uses
Dye Fibre Oil Oil Agroforestry uses: Mallow can be used as a cover crop to improve soil quality and prevent erosion. Its leaves can also be used as mulch, and the flowers attract pollinators. A fibre obtained from the stem is used for making cordage. Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads. The seed yields 15% oil. The uses of this oil have not been given though it is almost certainly edible.
