# Common Mallow (*Malva sylvestris*)

Common Mallow is a lovely plant with soft, round leaves and pretty pink flowers. It grows in many places and can be found in gardens and fields, making it a friendly sight for everyone!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Urban areas

![Common Mallow](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/608220986/medium.jpg)

Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/608220986)

## Appearance

The Common Mallow has striking cup-shaped flowers, typically vibrant pink to purple, with darker veins radiating from the center. Its broad, rounded leaves are palmately lobed and slightly crinkled, making it visually distinct from many common roadside plants.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Malvales
- **Family:** Malvaceae
- **Genus:** Malva

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Egyptians grew mallow as a common food source, not just a wild plant!
- If you chew the leaves, they release a slimy juice that can make a natural, soothing paste!
- Its round, flat fruits are often called "cheeses" because they look like tiny cheese wheels!
- The word "mallow" comes from a Greek word meaning "soft," referring to its soothing sap.

## Special abilities

- **Mucilage Maestro:** Common Mallow has a special gooey substance (mucilage) that helps it store water and soothe internal irritations.
- **Continuous Bloom Power:** Common Mallow can produce flowers for many months, ensuring a steady food supply for a wide range of visiting insects.
- **Taproot Treasure:** Common Mallow grows a deep, sturdy taproot that helps it find water in dry soils, making it very resilient.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-100 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Biennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen
- **Eaten by:** [Painted Lady](https://www.snappit.app/explore/painted-lady) (*Vanessa cardui*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves
- **Parasitizes:** Mallow Rust (*Puccinia malvacearum*) — Causes rust disease on leaves
- **Depends on:** Mallow Seed Weevil (*Apion radiolus*) — Larvae develop within its seeds

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before touching or tasting any plants.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Common Mallow?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Common Mallow?

30-100 cm

### How wide does Common Mallow spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Common Mallow?

2-4 cm

### When does Common Mallow bloom?

Summer

### Is Common Mallow edible?

Yes

### Is Common Mallow toxic?

None

### What is Common Mallow's lifecycle?

Biennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Common Mallow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-mallow)