Malva neglecta
Dwarf Mallow
an annual member of the Malva genus in the family Malvaceae.
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
When grown on nitrogen rich soils (and particularly when these are inorganic), the plant tends to concentrate high levels of nitrates in its leaves[13]. The leaves are perfectly wholesome at all other times.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[5][15][1][12][14]. A mild pleasant flavour[K], they are said to be highly nutritious[7]. They can be added in quantity to salads, and make an excellent lettuce substitute, they can also be cooked as greens[183, K]. The leaves are mucilaginous, when cooked in soups etc they tend to thicken it in much the same way as okra (Abelmoschatus esculenta)[7]. Some people find this mucilaginous texture unpleasant, especially if the leaves are cooked[K]. Immature seeds - raw or cooked[12][14][4]. A pleasant nutty flavour, they are nice as a nibble but too small for most people to want to collect in quantity[K]. A decoction of the roots is used as an egg-white substitute for making meringue[4]. The roots are brought to the boil in water and then simmered until the water becomes quite thick. This liquid can then be whisked in much the same way as egg whites[K]. A tea can be made from the dried leaves[14][4].
- Product or use
- Egg
- Product or use
- Tea
- Plant part
- Leaves
- 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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
All parts of the plant are antiphlogistic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative, salve[15][7][9]. The leaves and flowers can be eaten as part of the diet, or a tea can be made from the leaves, flowers or roots[7]. The leaves and flowers are the main part used, their demulcent properties making them valuable as a poultice for bruise, inflammations, insect bites etc, or taken internally in the treatment of respiratory system diseases or inflammation of the digestive or urinary systems[7][9]. They have similar properties, but are considered to be inferior to the marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis), though they are stronger acting than the common mallow (M. sylvestris). They are seldom used internally[10]. The plant is an excellent laxative for young children[11].
- Product or use
- Antiinflammatory
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Demulcent
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emollient
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Purgative
- Product or use
- Salve
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[2]. The root is used as a toothbrush[12].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Dental care
Environment
- Range
- Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Asia.
- Habitat
- Waste and cultivated ground[3], usually on dry soils, frequently in coastal habitats, on dry walls or as a weed of cultivated ground[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. The seed germinates in the autumn in the wild.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil, though it prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. It also succeeds in dry soils. At one time this plant was often cultivated for its edible leaves[5]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[8]. Prone to infestation by rust fungus.
References
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
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
Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2