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Sea Mallow

Malva subovata

Sea Mallow is a pretty plant that grows near the coast. It has soft, green leaves and beautiful pink flowers that attract butterflies and bees!

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Sea Mallow is a robust, low-growing plant with woody stems and distinctive grey-green, lobed leaves. Its five-petaled flowers bloom in vibrant shades of pink or purple, often with darker veins, creating a bright splash of color against coastal landscapes.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusMalva
Sea Mallow
flowering trait badgeornamental trait badgesummer_blooming trait badgesalt_tolerant trait badge
Sea Mallow

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ancient Romans and Greeks once valued Sea Mallow leaves, using them in their cooking!

Its unique, disc-shaped seed pods are often called 'cheeses' by curious coastal explorers!

The Sea Mallow produces a soothing goo often used in folk remedies for irritated skin!

This tough plant is a survival expert, growing happily even in salty sea air and strong winds!

Special abilities

Ability

Salt Shield

Sea Mallow can grow right by the sea because it has special glands to cope with and excrete excess salt.

Ability

Sand Anchor

Sea Mallow has deep, extensive roots that help it stay firmly in place in shifting sand dunes and loose coastal soil.

Ability

Water Reserve

Sea Mallow produces a special mucilage in its tissues, helping it store water during dry periods on the coast.

Measurements & details

Height
30-100 cm
Spread
40-80 cm
Flower Size
2-4 cm
Bloom Season
Summer to fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers for nectar

eats

Garden Snail

Helix aspersa

Feeds on its leaves

eaten by

European Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Forages on coastal plants

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Sea Mallow?

30-100 cm

How wide does Sea Mallow spread?

40-80 cm

How big are the flowers on Sea Mallow?

2-4 cm

When does Sea Mallow bloom?

Summer to fall

Is Sea Mallow edible?

Yes

Is Sea Mallow toxic?

None

What is Sea Mallow's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Sea Mallow pollinated?

Insect

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