Malva sylvestrisL. High Mallow

Malva sylvestrisL. - High Mallow

Scientific Description:

Perennial to biennial. Stems erect or ascending, spreading pilose with tuberculate hairs. Leaves ± orbicular, 5−7-lobed, crenate, sparsely pilose to glabrous. Flowers in fascicles in the leaf axils, and in clusters at the branch apices. Epicalyx segments ± linear to oblong or narrowly ovate. Sepals broadly triangular, 3−7 mm. Petals 18−25 mm, 4 or more x longer than the sepals, mauve to pink, emarginate or shallowly 3−5-fid. Mericarps glabrous or hairy (var. eriocarpa Boiss.), ± flat on the back, rugose.

 

Flowering time: May−October.
Habitat: Scrub, fields, open places, s.l.−500 m.

 

Reference:

Cullen J (1967). Malva sylvestris L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2: 406.

Public Description:

Malva sylvestris, known as “high mallow”, “common mallow” or “tall mallow”, is native to western Europe, North Africa and Asia. It is a broad-leaved biennial or perennial plant with dark purple or pink flowers with dark veins on it. Its stem is erect or ascending. The boiled young leaves are regarded as a healthy vegetable and have been eaten since ancient times in Anatolia and many parts of Europe. The high mallow has been used medicinally since ancient times, and is still used in modern phytotherapy. The seeds are used internally in a decoction or herbal tea as a demulcent and diuretic, and the leaves are turned into mush as an emollient for external applications. It is also be used internally for its laxative effect.

 

References:

Anonymous 1 (2017). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malva_sylvestris/Accessed date: 15.03.2017.

Anonymous 2 (2017). https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/common-mallow.html/Accessed date: 15.03.2017.

Anonymous 3 (2017). https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/search/?q=Malva+sylvestris/Accessed date: 15.03.2017.

Uzunhisarcıklı E M (2012). Malva L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 620–621.