Malva parviflora

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Malva parviflora
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Malva
Species:
M. parviflora
Binomial name
Malva parviflora

Malva parviflora is an annual or perennial herb that is native to Northern Africa, Europe and Asia and is widely naturalised elsewhere.[1] Common names include cheeseweed,[1] cheeseweed mallow, Egyptian mallow,[1] least mallow,[2] little mallow,[1] mallow,[3] marshmallow,[3] small-flowered mallow,[4] small-flowered marshmallow[5] Nafa Shak and smallflower mallow.[3] It typically grows on agricultural lands and in disturbed sites such as roadsides. [6]

M. parviflora leaf extracts possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.[7] Under some conditions, the plant's leaves and seeds can be toxic to cattle and poultry due to an accumulation of nitrates.[6]

It has a decumbent or erect habit, growing up to 50–80 cm in height.[4][6] The broad leaves have 5 to 7 shallow lobes and are 8 to 10 cm in diameter.[4] The lobe edges are round toothed, with varying hairiness.[6] It has small white or pink flowers year-round at the base of leaf stalks; flowers have 4 to 10 mm long petals.[4][6] The 2 mm seeds are reddish-brown and kidney-shaped.[6]

Newly sprouted plants have hairless, heart-shaped cotyledons with long stalks. These cotyledons are 3–12 mm long and 3–8 mm wide. Stalks usually do have hairs. The first leaf is rounder and larger than the others. True leaves are round and weakly lobed with wavy, shallow-toothed edges and a red spot at the leaf base. The plant rapidly grows a deep taproot.[6]

Botanical gallery[edit]

  • Plant, can become tall
    Plant, can become tall
  • Plant from above showing leaves, flowers, fruits
    Plant from above showing leaves, flowers, fruits
  • Flower white or pinky, petals gappy, approx same size as sepals, no hairs at petal bases
    Flower white or pinky, petals gappy, approx same size as sepals, no hairs at petal bases
  • Flower within, showing staminal column and no petal hairs
    Flower within, showing staminal column and no petal hairs
  • Maturing, 5-part sepals enlarge around like plate, fruit segments with wrinkled tops and wavy raised junctions (immature may look smooth)
    Maturing, 5-part sepals enlarge around like plate, fruit segments with wrinkled tops and wavy raised junctions (immature may look smooth)
  • Fruit more mature
    Fruit more mature
  • Fruit very mature, showing prominent wavy wings and wavy surfaces
    Fruit very mature, showing prominent wavy wings and wavy surfaces
  • Fruits, on short stalks, not curving downwards
    Fruits, on short stalks, not curving downwards
  • Sepals broad from the side, epicalyx 3 narrow strips at base
    Sepals broad from the side, epicalyx 3 narrow strips at base
  • Flower from side showing large 5-part calyx, and 3 filamenty epicalyx coming from base
    Flower from side showing large 5-part calyx, and 3 filamenty epicalyx coming from base
  • Hairs mostly stellate (star-shaped)
    Hairs mostly stellate (star-shaped)
  • Large leaf
    Large leaf
  • Leaf upperside
    Leaf upperside
  • Leaf underside
    Leaf underside

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Malva parviflora". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  2. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. ^ a b c "Malva parviflora". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  4. ^ a b c d "New South Wales Flora Online: Malva parviflora". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
  5. ^ "Malva parviflora L." Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Little mallow (cheeseweed)". UC IPM. Regents of the University of California. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  7. ^ Bouriche H, Meziti H, Senator A, Arnhold J"Anti-inflammatory, free radical-scavenging, and metal-chelating activities of Malva parviflora." Pharm Biol. 2011 May 19;

External links[edit]


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