Malva sylvestris
Malva sylvestris
Safety & Hazards
When grown on nitrogen rich soils (and particularly when these are cultivated inorganically), the plant tends to concentrate high levels of nitrates in its leaves[ 76 Title Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. Publication Author Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Publisher HMSO Year 1984 ISBN 0112425291 Description Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock. ]. The leaves are perfectly wholesome at all other times.
Botanical Description
Malva sylvestris is a usually biennial plant, though sometimes it can be annual or a short-lived perennial. The erect stems are usually branched, the plant growing 30 - 120cm tall, exceptionally to 300cm[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. , 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The common mallow has been known as a useful plant since early antiquity, and was cultivated in the gardens of ancient Greeks and Romans as a medicinal and edible plant[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. It is still sometimes cultivated as a food crop, and is sold in local markets[ 1059 Title A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa Publication Author Publisher IUCN; Malaga, Spain Year 2005 ISBN 2-8317-0893-1 Description A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa. ]. It is also often grown as an ornamental, there are some named cultivars. The plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in many countries including many in North, South and Central America, and also in New Zealand and Australia.