ExplorePlants

musk mallow

Malva moschata

Musk mallow is a pretty flower that blooms in pink and white colors. It has soft, fuzzy leaves and attracts butterflies and bees, making gardens look beautiful and lively!

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The musk mallow has delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers, typically in shades of pale pink to white, sometimes with darker veins. Its distinctive leaves are deeply cut into several lacy, palm-shaped lobes, creating an airy appearance.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusMalva
musk mallow
aromatic trait badgeflowering trait badgesummer_blooming trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
musk mallow

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Ancient Romans and Greeks valued mallow leaves and flowers as a healthy, mild vegetable!

Its beautiful flowers fold up at night to protect their precious pollen!

Its name "moschata" hints at its faint, sweet, musky scent from its flowers!

Its unique seeds look exactly like miniature cheese wheels, earning it the nickname "cheese plant"!

Special abilities

Ability

Deep Drinker

Musk mallow has a strong taproot that helps it find water deep underground, allowing it to survive dry periods.

Ability

Pollinator Beacon

Its petals often have tiny lines called nectar guides, directing helpful insects like bees to its sweet nectar.

Ability

Seed Sprinkler

Musk mallow easily self-seeds, scattering its unique "cheese wheel" seeds widely to grow in new spots.

Measurements & details

Height
30-80 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
3-5 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen for its hive.

eaten by

Small white butterfly

Pieris rapae

Its caterpillars munch on mallow leaves.

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Garden snail

Helix aspersa

Enjoys browsing its tender leaves.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking flowers in a garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is musk mallow?

30-80 cm

How wide does musk mallow spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on musk mallow?

3-5 cm

When does musk mallow bloom?

Summer

Is musk mallow edible?

Yes

Is musk mallow toxic?

None

What is musk mallow's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is musk mallow pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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