Common Name: Chinese Mallow

General Information

Malva verticillata is an erect, usually unbranched, annual to biennial plant, usually growing 50 - 100cm tall, but exceptionally reaching 200cm[, , ]
This species was one of the earliest domesticated crops in China, and has been in cultivation for well over 2,500 years[]. It is cultivated as a minor salad crop in various parts of the world and is also harvested from the wild as a food, medicine and a source of materials[, , , ]. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens[].

Known Hazards

When grown on nitrogen rich soils (and particularly when these are cultivated inorganically), the plant tends to concentrate high levels of nitrates in its leaves[]. The leaves are perfectly wholesome at all other times.

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China.

Habitat

On plains and in arable fields[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Biennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil[], though it prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[].
Malva verticillata is often found as a weed in its native range. It has escaped from cultivation (especially in the form var crispa L.) in temperate and tropical regions worldwide, and has become an invasive weed in some places, such as N. America, and is also widespread in tropical east Africa[, , ].
Sometimes cultivated as a food crop, and also as an ornamental, there is at least one named variety:- 'Crispa' has more tender leaves than the species with curled leaf edges that make it look more attractive in salads.
The seed yield fluctuates between 0.5 - 1.2 tonnes per hectare[].
The fibre yield averages 15 - 16% of the weight of stems, which works out at a yield of 1.1 - 1.8 tonnes from one hectare[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
Plants are prone to infestation by rust fungus[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. The leaves of well-grown plants can be 15cm or more across. They have a mild and very pleasant flavour that makes an excellent addition to salads[]. We use them as a tasty alternative to the lettuce[].

Young seeds - raw or cooked. Used when green and immature[]. A pleasant nutty taste but the seed is too small and fiddly for most people to want to harvest[].

Medicinal

The seed contains mucilage, polysaccharides and flavonoids[]. It is demulcent, diuretic, emollient, galactagogue and laxative[, , ]. The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, where they are considered to have a sweet and astringent taste plus a heating potency[]. They are used in the treatment of renal disorders, the retention of fluids, frequent thirst and diarrhoea[].

The root is used to cause vomiting in the treatment of whooping cough[].

The leaves and stems are said to be digestive[]. They are given to women in the advanced stages of pregnancy[].
The leaves and young stems can be used to make a poultice for treating burns, stings, inflammations, skin irritations etc[].

The flowers are used as a diuretic in Tibet[].

Other Uses

Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[].

An extract of the leaves, flowers and stems is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
An essential oil obtained from the seeds is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an emollient and skin conditioner[].

The following were listed under Malva meluca and mohileviensis (both now considered to be synonyms of this species)

The seed contains up to 10 - 20% of a greenish oil with an iodine number 116.9[]. It is used for making soap[].

The fibre obtained from the stem is a useful substitute for jute in cordage production. The fiber is strong, but somewhat coarse and brittle. It is inferior in quality to kenaf and hemp. The fibre has a breaking strength of 14 kilos without a knot and 9 - 10 kilos with a knot[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

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