Blue Mallow
Malva sylvestris L.
Malva sylvestris, a member of the Malvaceae family, is a species of mallow native to Western Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It is the type species of the genus Malva and is commonly known as Blue Mallow in English. The plant has been introduced to various regions, including parts of Canada, the United States, and several islands in the Atlantic. It has also been referred to by other common names such as cheeses, high mallow, and tall mallow.
Description
Malva sylvestris is a herbaceous plant characterized by its showy, pale purple to pink flowers and broad, palmate leaves. It thrives in a range of habitats, including fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It has a wide distribution across temperate regions and is often found growing in both cultivated and natural settings. The plant is notable for its adaptability and has been naturalized in many parts of the world outside its native range.
Other common names
High mallowBlue MallowCheesesCommon MallowForest MallowGarden MallowHigh CheeseweedPurple MallowTall Mallow
Distribution
Alberta · British Columbia · New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Ontario · Quebec · Saskatchewan · Saint Pierre and Miquelon · Complejo Humedales Hato Corozal. Cienaga Zapatosa · Açores · Madeira · Portugal Continental · Faial Island · São Miguel Island · Terceira Island · Madeira Island · FI · SE · CL · IE · Belgium · France · The Netherlands · Great Britain · GB · French Southern and Antarctic Lands Terres australes et antarctiques françaises (TAAF) · DK · UZ · KG · BY
Synonyms
Malva sylvestris subsp. mauritianaMalva sylvestris subsp. sylvestrisAlthaea vulgaris