Malva pusilla (Malvaceae)

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Malva pusilla
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The Malva pusilla plant species is found in Europe. Introduced and locally naturalized in Britain. It is a member of the Malvaceae family. Some home gardeners know the variety as M. rotundifolia. L.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Malva pusilla
Family:  Malvaceae
Author:  Sm.

Known Hazards:  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[76]. The leaves are perfectly wholesome at all other times.

Mature Height:  0.3   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Waste places, foreshores etc[17].

Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[74, 145]. A mild pleasant flavour, it can be used in quantity and makes an excellent salad plant. It is possibly the best for flavour in this genus though it is much lower yielding than the annual M. verticillata 'Crispa' or the perennials M. alcea and M. moschata[K]. Seed - raw or cooked[74, 105]. Best used before it is fully mature, the seed has a pleasant nutty taste but it is rather small and very fiddly to harvest[K].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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