Common Name:

General Information

Malvastrum americanum is a perennial plant with stems that can become woody and persist; it can grow up to 240cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina and Paraguay, north through S. America, C. America and the Caribbean to northern Mexico, Texas and Florida

Habitat

Open places, often in disturbed soils, growing along roadsides, in ditches and waste places; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, in Puerto Rica it grows in areas with a mean annual rainfall ranging from 750 - 1,000mm[].
Requires an open, sunny position[, tolerating light shade amongst trees692]. Succeeds in most soil types if they are well-drained[].
The plant spreads easily by means of its small seeds. It has become an invasive weed in a number of countries outside of its native range[].
Plants usually commence flowering when around 15cm tall and can flower and produce fruit all year round unless there is a dry season[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The hhole plant is emollient, detersive, mucilaginous[].
A decoction of the leaves, combined with leaves of Croton flavens, is drunk to stimulate menstruation[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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