Common name: Tall Mallow
Malva sylvestris L. APNI*
Description: Biennial or perennial herb; stems ascending or erect to 1 m high.
Leaves with lamina ± circular, 5–10 cm diam., 5–7-lobed, base cordate, margins crenate, ± glabrous; petiole 2–13 cm long.
Flowers in axillary clusters forming an irregular raceme, peduncles 1–3 cm long. Epicalyx segments oblong-lanceolate, two-thirds as long as calyx. Calyx lobes ovate, mostly 5–7 mm long. Petals 15–25 mm long, reddish purple.
Fruit 5–7 mm diam., brownish green when ripe, glabrous or hairy; carpels c. 10.
Distribution and occurrence: Native of Eur.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC
Other Australian states: *Qld *Tas.
Text by A. S. Mitchell & E. H. Norris
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 1 (1990)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.