alkali mallow
ExplorePlants
alkali mallow
Malvella leprosa
Alkali mallow is a bright and cheerful plant that grows in dry places. Its pretty flowers can be pink or white, and it loves sunny spots where it can soak up the warmth.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The alkali mallow is a low-growing plant with gray-green, fuzzy, fan-shaped leaves often having wavy edges. Its small, cup-shaped flowers are typically pale pink to lavender, sometimes white, blooming singly from leaf axils.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusMalvella
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Wow! Even though it looks delicate, alkali mallow can live for many years in tough, dry places!
Wow! Its tiny seeds can stay hidden in the soil for years, waiting for the perfect moment to sprout!
Wow! Native bees love its pretty flowers, collecting nectar and pollen for their homes!
Wow! The fuzzy leaves feel super soft, like a tiny velvet blanket protecting the plant!
Special abilities
Ability
Salt Survivor
Alkali mallow can grow in salty soils by tolerating or filtering out excess salt, helping it thrive where others cannot.
Ability
Fuzzy Shield
Alkali mallow has tiny hairs on its leaves that reflect harsh sunlight and trap moisture, protecting it from dry conditions.
Ability
Creeping Conqueror
Alkali mallow can spread by creeping stems, allowing it to colonize open ground quickly even in tough environments.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 30-90 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Sonoran Bumble Bee
Bombus sonorus
collects nectar and pollen
depends on
Common Checkered-Skipper
Pyrgus communis
caterpillar feeds on its leaves
pollinates
Rusty Mallow Bee
Melissodes rustica
specializes on mallow flowers
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Salt Tolerant
Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they're safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is alkali mallow?
10-30 cm
How wide does alkali mallow spread?
30-90 cm
How big are the flowers on alkali mallow?
1-2 cm
When does alkali mallow bloom?
Spring to fall
Is alkali mallow edible?
No
Is alkali mallow toxic?
None
What is alkali mallow's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is alkali mallow pollinated?
Insect
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