Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Malva neglecta

Family

Malvaceae

Flowering season

May to September and all year during mild winters.

English distribution

It is found throughout the country except for parts of the

North and the far Southwest.

See the BSBI distribution map for Dwarf Mallow

Habitat

It is an archaeophyte, which has grown in the UK since

the Romans.

It grows on rough ground, in trampled gateways, by

paths and roads, and in tidal drift-lines.

It is probably on the decline in the West and North.

Description

Dwarf Mallow is a sprawling, annual herb, growing up

to 60cm.

It can over-winter in mild areas.

The flowers are up to 2.5cm across, with 5 pale lilac

to white, shallow-notched, lilac-veined, petals. 

The 5 sepals are ovate and hairy, and are above the

3 lanceolate epicalyx segments.

The leaves are stalked, up to 7cm, kidney-shaped,

crinkly when young, and with 5 to 7 shallow lobes.

Stems are downy.