Malva verticillata
{{Short description|Plant species in the mallow family}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Malva verticillata (USDA).jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Illustration of the leaves and seeds of M. verticillata
| genus = Malva
| species = verticillata
| authority = L.
| subdivision_ranks = Varieties
| subdivision_ref = {{cite POWO |id=561971-1 |title=Malva verticillata L. |access-date=8 March 2025}}
| subdivision = {{Species list
| M. verticillata var. rafiqii |
| M. verticillata var. verticillata |
}}
| synonyms_ref = {{cite POWO |id=77226323-1 |title=Malva verticillata var. verticillata |access-date=8 March 2025}}
| synonyms = {{Collapsible list | {{Species list
| Althaea crispa | (L.) Alef.
| Althaea verticillata | (L.) Alef.
| Malva abyssinica | A.Braun
| Malva alchemillifolia | Wall.
| Malva brevifolia | Gilib.
| Malva chinensis | Mill.
| Malva crispa | (L.) L.
| Malva glomerata | G.Don
| Malva hybrida | Steud.
| Malva meluca | Graebn. ex Medw.
| Malva mohileviensis | Downar
| Malva montana | Forssk.
| Malva neilgherrensis | Wight
| Malva nepalensis | Steud.
| Malva olitoria | Nakata
| Malva pulchella | Colla
| Malva pulchella | Bernh.
}}
}}
}}
Malva verticillata, also known as the Chinese mallow{{BSBI 2007 |access-date=17 October 2014}} or cluster mallow,{{PLANTS|id=MAVE|taxon=Malva verticillata|access-date=27 January 2016}} is a species of the mallow genus Malva in the family of Malvaceae found in East Asia from Pakistan to China. M. verticillata is an annual or biennial that grow up to 1.7 meters in high and can inhabit woodland areas of different soil types. The small, symmetrical flowers have five white, pink or red petals (0.8 cm) and thirteen or more stamens. Each flower has three narrow epicalyx bracts. The fruit is a dry, hairless nutlet. The leaves are simple and alternate.{{cite web |title=Malva verticillata L. whorled mallow |url=https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/malva/verticillata/ |website=Go Botany New England |publisher=Native Plant Trust |access-date=14 January 2020}}
In temperate climates, it flowers from July to September and the seeds from August to October. The flowers of the plant are self-fertile but can also be pollinated by insects.{{citation|title=Malva verticillata - L.|publisher=Plants for a Future |url=http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Malva%20verticillata}}
Distribution
The species originates in Asia. It is widely distributed in Europe and is considered an invasive plant.{{cite web |title=Malva verticillata |url=https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/115486 |website=Invasive species compendium |publisher=CABI |access-date=14 January 2020}} It is also present in North America, including most states in the USA.
Uses
The plant was an important leaf vegetable in pre-Han China and widely cultivated.{{citation|title=The Food of China |first=Eugene N. |last=Anderson|publisher=Yale University Press|year=1988}} Mallow is mentioned in Huangdi Neijing as one of the five consumable herbs (五菜) which included mallow (葵), pea leaves (藿), Allium macrostemon (薤), Welsh onion (蔥) and Garlic chives (韭).{{citation|title=古代五菜 |date=4 March 2010 |url=http://paper.dzwww.com/ncdz/data/20100304/html/6/content_2.html}} It is mentioned in the Zuo Zhuan in Duke Cheng's reign by Confucius to compare to the head of the Bao clan saying he is not as smart as a kuicai (mallow) because it keeps its roots to the ground. It was deemed to be a major vegetable until the Northern Wei, supposedly. The technology for domesticating mallow was well recorded in Qimin Yaoshu. The acreages dwindled since the Tang dynasty. In his Nong Shu [Agricultural Manual], Wang Zhen wrote that mallow came top among various vegetables, because "it could be alternative in years of crop failure, or be marinated to serve with staples". There were rare occasions that people cultivated or consumed mallow during the Ming dynasty.{{Cite book|title=中国农业史|last=Wu|first=Cunhao|year=1996|isbn=9787810276962|pages=410|trans-title=A History of Chinese Agriculture}}
It is also grown as an ornamental plant.
{{Gallery
|width=150
|File:Malva verticillata 4.JPG|M. verticillata flower
|File:Malva verticillata 3.JPG|M. verticillata leaves
|File:Malva verticillata2 WPC.jpg|M. verticillata aerial portions
}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Commons-inline}}
- {{PFAF|Malva verticillata}}
- {{CalPhotos|Malva|verticillata}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q163199}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Flora of temperate Asia