Common Mallow
Malva neglecta
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sinai, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Genus:
- Malva
- Species:
- Malva neglecta
- USDA Symbol:
- MANE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, lavender
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agrotis orthogonia, Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), cotton tipworm (Crocidosema plebejana), Grammia nevadensis, Malvaceous Moth (Mimoschinia rufofascialis), Yellow scallop moth (Anomis erosa), West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Common Checkered-skipper (Burnsius communis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in disturbed areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification or soaking in warm water improves germination rates. Seeds can remain viable in soil for decades.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI