Practical
Plants

Malva parviflora

Cheeseweed

an annual member of the Malva genus in the family Malvaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Malvaceae
Genus
Malva
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

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.

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[11]. The leaves are perfectly wholesome at all other times.

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb[10][2][4]. A mild pleasant flavour, they make a very acceptable alternative to lettuce in salads[K]. Immature seeds - raw or cooked[2][4]. They are used to make a creamed vegetable soup that resembles pea soup[4]. A few leaves are also added for colouring[4]. The seeds have a pleasant nutty flavour, though they are too small for most people to want to collect in quantity[K].

Plant part
Leaves
Preparation
Raw
Product or use
Salad
Plant part
Leaves
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Potherb
Plant part
Seed
Preparation
Raw, Cooked

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 whole plant is emollient and pectoral[2][7]. It can be used as a poultice on swellings, running sores and boils[8]. The seeds are demulcent[7]. They are used in the treatment of coughs and ulcers in the bladder[7]. A decoction of the roots or leaves has been used as a hair rinse to remove dandruff and to soften the hair[8].

Plant part
Roots, Leaves
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Antidandruff
Plant part
Seeds
Product or use
Demulcent
Plant part
Plant
Product or use
Emollient
Plant part
Plant
Product or use
Pectoral
Plant part
Plant
Preparation
Poultice
Product or use
Skin

Material uses

The seed contains up to 18% of a fatty oil[2]. No more details are given, though the oil is likely to be edible[K]. Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[3]. A decoction of the roots or leaves has been used as a hair rinse to soften the hair[8].

Plant part
Plant, Seeds
Product or use
Dye
Plant part
Roots, Leaves
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Hair care
Plant part
Seeds
Product or use
Oil

Environment

Range
S.W. Europe. A casual in Britain.
Habitat
Fields and waste land[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
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 in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

Cultivation

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

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[5]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[6]. Plants are prone to infestation by rust fungus[5].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  7. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  11. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩

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