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: ''Malva was also an ancient [[Romula|Roman city]] in present Romania. It is also an alternative spelling for the Indian region and state [[Malwa]].''
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Malva''
| image = Malva parviflora.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Malva parviflora''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malvales]]
| familia = [[Malvaceae]]
| genus = '''''Malva'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
About 25 species, including:<br />
''Malva alcea'' - Hollyhock Mallow<br />
''Malva aegyptia''<br />
''Malva cretica''<br />
''Malva moschata'' - Musk Mallow<br />
''Malva neglecta'' - Dwarf Mallow<br />
''Malva nicaeensis'' - Bull Mallow<br />
''Malva parviflora'' - Least Mallow<br />
''Malva pusilla'' - Small Mallow<br />
''Malva stipulacea''<br />
''Malva sylvestris'' - Common Mallow<br />
''Malva tournefortiana''<br />
''Malva verticillata'' - Chinese Mallow
}}
'''''Malva''''' is a genus of about 25 species of [[herbaceous]] plants in the family [[Malvaceae]] (named after it), one of several closely related genera in the family to bear the common English name '''[[mallow]]'''. The genus is widespread throughout the temperate, subtropical and tropical regions of [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and [[Europe]].
The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, palmately lobed; the [[flower]]s are from 0.5-5 cm diameter, with five pink or white petals.
Several species are widely grown as [[garden]] flowers, while some are [[invasive species|invasive weeds]], particularly in [[the Americas]] where they are not native.
''Malva'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Grizzled Skipper]].
Many species are edible as [[leaf vegetable]]s. ''M. verticillata'' ({{zh-cp|c=冬寒菜|p=dōngháncài}}, [[Korean script|Korean]]=동규자) is grown on a limited commercial scale in [[China]]. Malva verticillata, when made as an herbal infusion, is used for its colon cleansing properties and as a weight loss supplement.
Very easily grown, short-lived perennials often grown as ornamentals. Mild tasting young mallow leaves make a very good lettuce substitute, whereas older leaves are better cooked as a leafy green vegetable. Use the flowers that are produced in profusion in salads. Sow directly outdoors in early spring. The seed is very easy to collect, and they will often spread themselves by seed.
==History==
This plant is one of the earliest cited in recorded literature. [[Horace]] mentions it in reference to his own diet, which he describes as very simple: "Me pascunt olivae, me cichorea, me malvae" ("As for me, olives, endives, and mallows provide sustenance.")<ref>Horace, ''Odes 31, ver 15'', ca 30 BC</ref>. [[Lord Monboddo]] describes his translation of an ancient [[epigram]] that demonstrates malva was planted upon the graves of the ancients, stemming from the belief that the dead could feed on such perfect plants<ref>Letter from [[Monboddo]] to John Hope, 29 April, 1779; reprinted by William Knight 1900 ISBN 1-85506-207-0</ref>.
== References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>
==See also==
*[[Phytonutrient]]
*[[Polyphenol antioxidant]]
[[Category:Malvaceae]]
[[Category:Lawn weeds]]
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Malva''
| image = Malva parviflora.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Malva parviflora''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malvales]]
| familia = [[Malvaceae]]
| genus = '''''Malva'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
About 25 species, including:<br />
''Malva alcea'' - Hollyhock Mallow<br />
''Malva aegyptia''<br />
''Malva cretica''<br />
''Malva moschata'' - Musk Mallow<br />
''Malva neglecta'' - Dwarf Mallow<br />
''Malva nicaeensis'' - Bull Mallow<br />
''Malva parviflora'' - Least Mallow<br />
''Malva pusilla'' - Small Mallow<br />
''Malva stipulacea''<br />
''Malva sylvestris'' - Common Mallow<br />
''Malva tournefortiana''<br />
''Malva verticillata'' - Chinese Mallow
}}
'''''Malva''''' is a genus of about 25 species of [[herbaceous]] plants in the family [[Malvaceae]] (named after it), one of several closely related genera in the family to bear the common English name '''[[mallow]]'''. The genus is widespread throughout the temperate, subtropical and tropical regions of [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and [[Europe]].
The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, palmately lobed; the [[flower]]s are from 0.5-5 cm diameter, with five pink or white petals.
Several species are widely grown as [[garden]] flowers, while some are [[invasive species|invasive weeds]], particularly in [[the Americas]] where they are not native.
''Malva'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Grizzled Skipper]].
Many species are edible as [[leaf vegetable]]s. ''M. verticillata'' ({{zh-cp|c=冬寒菜|p=dōngháncài}}, [[Korean script|Korean]]=동규자) is grown on a limited commercial scale in [[China]]. Malva verticillata, when made as an herbal infusion, is used for its colon cleansing properties and as a weight loss supplement.
Very easily grown, short-lived perennials often grown as ornamentals. Mild tasting young mallow leaves make a very good lettuce substitute, whereas older leaves are better cooked as a leafy green vegetable. Use the flowers that are produced in profusion in salads. Sow directly outdoors in early spring. The seed is very easy to collect, and they will often spread themselves by seed.
==History==
This plant is one of the earliest cited in recorded literature. [[Horace]] mentions it in reference to his own diet, which he describes as very simple: "Me pascunt olivae, me cichorea, me malvae" ("As for me, olives, endives, and mallows provide sustenance.")<ref>Horace, ''Odes 31, ver 15'', ca 30 BC</ref>. [[Lord Monboddo]] describes his translation of an ancient [[epigram]] that demonstrates malva was planted upon the graves of the ancients, stemming from the belief that the dead could feed on such perfect plants<ref>Letter from [[Monboddo]] to John Hope, 29 April, 1779; reprinted by William Knight 1900 ISBN 1-85506-207-0</ref>.
== References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>
==See also==
*[[Phytonutrient]]
*[[Polyphenol antioxidant]]
[[Category:Malvaceae]]
[[Category:Lawn weeds]]
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]