Malva hispanica
Malva hispanica L.
Malva hispanica, known as the Spanish mallow, is a flowering plant in the Malvaceae family. It is native to the western Mediterranean region, including Portugal, Spain, Algeria, and Morocco. This species is distinguished by its bilobed epicalyx, a unique feature in the genus Malva, derived from a trimerous ancestral structure with the loss of the adaxial lobe.
Description
Malva hispanica is a member of the Malvaceae family and was first described by L. in 1753. It is found in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa, specifically in Portugal, Spain, Algeria, and Morocco. The plant's most notable characteristic is its bilobed epicalyx, a morphological trait not observed in other species of the genus Malva. This structure is thought to have evolved from a trimerous form by losing the adaxial lobe, making it a unique example of morphological adaptation within the genus.
Distribution
Portugal Continental · Algeria · Morocco · Portugal · Spain
Synonyms
Malva cuneifoliaMalva spithameaMalva hispanica var. spithamea