Malva excisa
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
Although we have seen no reports of toxicity for this species, when grown on nitrogen rich soils (and particularly when these are cultivated inorganically), the leaves of some species tend to concentrate high levels of nitrates in their leaves[7]. The leaves are perfectly wholesome at all other times.
Edible uses
Leaves - raw or cooked[6]. A mild pleasant flavour. Mucilaginous and fairly bland, it makes a good lettuce substitute in salads[K]. Flowers - raw[K]. A very decorative addition to the salad bowl, they have a mild flavour and a similar texture to the leaves[K]. Seed - raw[6]. Best used before it is fully mature, the seed has a pleasant nutty taste but it is rather small and fiddly to harvest[K].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Oil
- Plant part
- Seed
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.
The leaves are demulcent. They are also used as a mouthwash for inflammatory and catarrhal conditions[6].
- Product or use
- Demulcent
- Product or use
- Mouthwash
Material uses
A fibre obtained from the stem is used for making cordage[6]. Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[2]. The seed yields 15% oil[6], the uses have not been given though it is almost certainly edible.
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Fibre
- Product or use
- Oil
Environment
- Range
- Europe.
- Habitat
- Gardens, vineyards and waste places[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown in early spring in a cold frame. The seed germinates quickly and easily. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in their permanent positions in the early summer[K]. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in the middle to late spring. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cultivation
A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil[1], though it prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[3]. A very ornamental plant[1]. This species is closely related to M. alcea[6] and considered no more than an extreme form of that species by some botanists[5]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4]. Prone to infestation by rust fungus[3].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00
Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291