Cretan mallow
ExplorePlants
Cretan mallow
Malva multiflora
Cretan mallow is a cheerful plant with lovely pink flowers. It grows in warm places and is often found in gardens, bringing beauty and color to the world around us.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Cretan mallow has soft, rounded, palmate leaves and delicate, cup-shaped flowers. Its petals are typically a vibrant pink or purplish-pink, often marked with darker veins radiating from the center, making it stand out in fields.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusMalva
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient Romans prized mallow leaves, using them as a common leafy green vegetable!
Its unique seeds are shaped like tiny wheels of cheese, earning it the nickname 'cheese plant'.
Mallow roots, when boiled, can create a thick, gooey liquid used in traditional remedies!
The plant's scientific name, Malva, comes from a Greek word meaning 'soft' or 'to soften'.
Special abilities
Ability
Drought Buster
Cretan mallow has a strong taproot that helps it find deep water, allowing it to survive in dry, sunny environments.
Ability
Seed Spreader
Cretan mallow can produce many seeds that easily disperse, ensuring new plants grow and thrive year after year.
Ability
Soothing Secret
Cretan mallow contains a slimy substance called mucilage that helps the plant retain water and can soothe irritations.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
honey bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen.
pollinates
buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
An important pollinator.
eaten by
painted lady butterfly
Vanessa cardui
Its caterpillars feed on leaves.
Traits
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
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.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before touching or picking any plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Cretan mallow?
30-90 cm
How wide does Cretan mallow spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Cretan mallow?
1-3 cm
When does Cretan mallow bloom?
Spring to fall
Is Cretan mallow edible?
Yes
Is Cretan mallow toxic?
None
What is Cretan mallow's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Cretan mallow pollinated?
Insect
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