Short Description
The dwarf mallow is deciduous and can grow to a little over half a metre long.
The leaves are round to kidney-shaped and lobed.
The stem is branched at its base. It grows prostrate to ascending.
The light pink to almost white flowers grow on long stems in the leaf axils.
The fruits are disc-like, round and greenish. They are divided into individual, hairy segments.
Features
Dwarf mallow
Malva neglecta
horizontal stem
light pink to almost white flowers
In the city
It grows along paths, walls and field edges, in gardens and yards and on dung heaps and vineyards. It is common and indicates nitrogen and ammonia richness of the soil.
Fun Facts
The seeds have a nutty taste.
The young leaves were used as a salad, cooked or used to thicken soups.
The fruits have a cheese-like taste and were used as a flour substitute in times of need.
It may help against stomach ulcers.
Caterpillars of various butterfly species feed on it.
The flowering period is from June to October.
- Endangerment level Germany: not endangered
In the past it was used for poultices and was eaten.
Sources
Habitus, Jean.claude, CC BY-SA 3.0 , https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mauve_%C3%A0_feuilles_rondes.JPG
Blüte, Follavoine, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malva_neglecta01.jpg
Früchte, Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malva_neglecta_fruits,_klein_kaasjeskruid_vruchten.jpg
Seitz, B., Ristow, M., Meißner, J., Machatzi, B. & Sukopp, H. (2018) Rote Liste und Gesamtartenliste der etablierten Farn- und Blütenpflanzen von Berlin. : Der Landesbeauftragte für Naturschutz und Landschaftspflege / Senatsverwaltung für Umwelt, Klima und Verkehr (eds.) Rote Listen der gefährdeten Pflanzen, Pilze und Tiere von Berlin, URL: https://www.berlin.de/sen/uvk/natur-und-gruen/naturschutz/artenschutz/artenlisten-rote-listen/farn-und-bluetenpflanzen/ (Accessed: 26.03.2021).
Spohn, M., Golte-Bechtle, M. & Spohn, R. (2015) Was blüht denn da? Stuttgart: Franckh Kosmos Verlag.
Schauer, T., Caspari, C. & Caspari, S. (2015) Der illustrierte BLV-Pflanzenführer für unterwegs. 1150 Blumen, Gräser, Bäume und Sträucher, München: BLV.
Bundesamt für Naturschutz (n.d.) Artensteckbriefe, URL: http://floraweb.de/pflanzenarten/artenhome.xsql?suchnr=3585& (Accessed: 14.08.2018).
Page „Weg-Malve“. : Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Date of last revision: 22.07.2018, 11:53 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Weg-Malve&oldid=179354713 (Accessed: 14.08.2018).