Practical
Plants

Lavatera arborea

Tree Mallow

a biennial member of the Lavatera genus in the family Malvaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Malvaceae
Life cycle
biennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
3 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but the leaves are dry and hairy and not that agreeable in quantity on their own[K]. They can be used as part of a chopped mixed salad[K].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A poultice made from the leaves is used to treat sprains[5].

Product or use
Poultice

Environment

Range
Coastal regions of Europe, including Britain, from Franceto the Mediterranean and N. Africa.
Habitat
Maritime rocks or waste ground by the sea, to 150 metres[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late summer in situ[4]. The seed should germinate within 4 weeks.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade[1][3]. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[4]. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering[4]. Tolerates maritime exposure[4]. Plants are very fast-growing and often flower in their first year from seed[4]. They flower so freely in their second year that they normally die afterwards, though they sometimes perennate[4]. When well sited, this species usually self-sows freely[4]. There are some named forms developed for their ornamental value[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

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  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  5. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

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