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Common Mallow

©Northeast Wildlife

Mallow

Eden Jackson

Common mallow

Common mallow is a handsome 'weed' of waste ground, roadside verges and gardens. Its deep pink, stripey flowers provide nectar for insects throughout the summer.

Scientific name

Malva sylvestris

When to see

June to October

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 1.5m
Common.

About

Common mallow is a handsome, large, spreading plant with beautiful deep pink flowers that appear from June to October. It can be found on roadside verges, along footpaths and on waste ground. Certain parts of common mallow are edible (leaves, flowers and seeds) and there is evidence that the Romans may have deliberately cultivated the plant to be used for food and medicine.

How to identify

Common mallow has pale mauve, funnel-like flowers with five open petals and deep purple stripes. Its leaves have five lobes and its stalks have hairs on them.

Distribution

Found throughout the UK, but especially common in Wales and Southern England.

Did you know?

The French word for mallow is 'mauve', which is where we get the word for the colour mauve from.