Malva verticillata

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Malva verticillata2 WPC.jpg


Plant Characteristics
Lifespan: Annual"Annual" is not in the list (perennial, annual, biennial, unknown) of allowed values for the "Lifespan" property., [[Lifespan::BiennialRH]]
Origin: [[Origin::Europe, AsiaRH]]
Poisonous: see text
Cultivation
Exposure: full sun"full sun" is not in the list (sun, part-sun, shade, unknown) of allowed values for the "Exposure" property., part-sun
Water: regular"regular" is not in the list (wet, moist, moderate, dry, less when dormant) of allowed values for the "Water" property.
Features: edible
Sunset Zones: not available
Scientific Names

Malvaceae >

Malva >

verticillata >


Hardy to zone 6 and hardy to frost. Flowers July - September, with seeds ripening August - October. The flowers are hermaphrodite and require insect pollination. The plant is self-fertile.

Cultivation

Eeasily grown in the garden in any soil, although it likes good drainage and moderate fertility in the soil, as well as part or full sun. It is not particular about the soil alkalinity, either. It requires moist soil. Grown as salad crop in parts of Europe. Variety 'Crispa' has more tender leaves, with attractive curled leaf edges. Cultivated for over 2,500 years in China.

The plant can produce concentrated levels of nitrates if your soil is high in nitrogen, especially from inorganic nitrogen fertilizers. If levels of nitrogen are not elevated, leaves are safe to eat.

Propagation

Grow from seed planted in early spring in situ. Usually germinates by 2 weeks.

Pests and diseases

Prone to rust fungus, but immune to rabbits.

Varieties

'Crispa' - grown for salads in Mediterranean region. Once considered a separate species, but now considered to be a form of M. verticillata derived by selection as a salad plant. Rust fungus prone.

Gallery

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References

External links