Malvastrum lateritium
a perennial evergreen member of the Malvastrum genus in the family Malvaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Genus
- Malvastrum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 0.7 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. The young leaves have a pleasant mild flavour with a mucilaginous texture, they make an acceptable addition to a mixed salad[K]. Flowers - raw[K].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Flowers
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant produces long trailing stems and can be used for ground cover[K].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Southern South America - Argentina.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- 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 - 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 grow them on in protected conditions for their first winter. Plant them out in their permanent positions in the early summer[K]. 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. Cuttings of side shoots, July/August in a cold frame[1].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil. One report says that it grows and flowers best in a sun-baked nitrogen-starved soil, whilst another says that it requires a rich soil to do well. This species is not very cold tolerant, but will usually survive wnters outdoors in southern Britain. The plant produes long trailing stems, it is a weak climber, but grows well as a creeping plant where its stems make an effective ground cover.
References
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00