Sidalcea malviflora
(DC.) A. Gray ex Benth.
Dwarf Checker-mallow, Greek mallow
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY)
(c) yossarianc, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw, they have a very mild flavour and a slightly mucilaginous texture that makes them a pleasant addition to salads. They can also be cooked as greens. Dried and mashed, the leaves have been used as a flavouring with black manzanita berries (Arctostaphyllos spp).
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Australia, Falklands, Mexico, North America, USA,
How to Identify
A small plant. It grows 60-100 cm high and spreads 40-75 cm wide. It forms clumps or erect stems. The leaves at the base are rounded with shallow lobes. They are 15 cm across. The leaves on the stems are shiny green and in segments. The flowers are small and pink.
How to Grow
Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant them out in summer. The plant can also be propagated by division in spring.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Other Uses
None known
Wikipedia
Source ↗Sidalcea malviflora is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, known by the common names dwarf checkerbloom, Greek mallow, prairie mallow and dwarf checkermallow.
Notes
There are about 20 or 25 Sidalcea species.
Names & Synonyms
Checkerbloom, Checker Mallow
References (5)
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1339
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 291
- Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 530
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Pl. hartw. 300. 1848 "malvaeflora"
