Malva pusilla, also known as Malva rotundifolia (the latter of which is now officially rejected by botanists), the low mallow, small mallow, or the round-leaved mallow, is an annual and biennial herb species of the Mallow genus Malva in the family of Malvaceae. Malva is a genus that consists of about 30 species of plants. This genus consists of plants named mallows. Mallows grow in many regions, including temperate, subtropical, and tropical areas.
Distribution
Malva pusilla is native to temperate and Mediterranean Europe, Turkey, Caucasia, and northwest Iran. It is invasive to North America, Europe, and Korea. In the United States, in can specifically be found in the states of California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
"Invasive distribution of Malva pusilla in North America"
Habitat and ecology
Malva pusilla can be found widely in wastelands, grasslands, pastures, and by roadsides. It is easy to grow in ordinary garden conditions in moist, fertile soil and a sunny setting. It is prone to predation by rabbits and infestation by rust fungus.
Invasiveness
Mallows can be used as garden flowers. However, some species may be considered weeds, especially in areas where they are not native. Malva pusilla grows rapidly as a weed in gardens and farmlands. It is considered hard to get rid of because of its long and tough taproots. Among cultivated crops, it can be very competitive and it can spread very quickly. Herbicide control options of this mallow are limited and not highly effective.
Morphology
Malva pusilla stems can grow to a height of 4–20 inches (100–510 mm). Malva pusilla leaves are attached alternately to the stem. Leaves have orbicular shape (widely triangular) with palmate venation and serrate margins. In the past, mallows were often referred to as cheesepants because the carpel is shaped similarly to a...
