Cheeseweed Mallow
Malva parviflora
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azores, Baleares, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Chad, Corse, Cyprus, Djibouti, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Guam, Gulf States, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Selvagens, Sicilia, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, Spain, Sudan-South Sudan, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Yemen
Meteorquake
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Genus:
- Malva
- Species:
- Malva parviflora
- USDA Symbol:
- MAPA5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
cotton tipworm (Crocidosema plebejana), Painted Tiger Moth (Arachnis picta), West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in disturbed soils
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. Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 10C.