Malva parviflora
| Malva parviflora | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Malva parviflora (common name: cheeseweed)
Propagation: Seed - sow early spring in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.
Cultivation: A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil[1], though it prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[2].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[3].
Plants are prone to infestation by rust fungus[2].
Range: S.W. Europe. A casual in Britain.
Habitat: Fields and waste land[4].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb[5][6][7]. A mild pleasant flavour, they make a very acceptable alternative to lettuce in salads[K].
Immature seeds - raw or cooked[6][7]. They are used to make a creamed vegetable soup that resembles pea soup[7]. A few leaves are also added for colouring[7]. The seeds have a pleasant nutty flavour, though they are too small for most people to want to collect in quantity[K].
Medicinal: The whole plant is emollient and pectoral[6][8]. It can be used as a poultice on swellings, running sores and boils[9].
The seeds are demulcent[8]. They are used in the treatment of coughs and ulcers in the bladder[8].
A decoction of the roots or leaves has been used as a hair rinse to remove dandruff and to soften the hair[9].
Usage: The seed contains up to 18% of a fatty oil[6]. No more details are given, though the oil is likely to be edible[K].
Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[10].
A decoction of the roots or leaves has been used as a hair rinse to soften the hair[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although we have seen no reports of toxicity for this species, when grown on nitrogen rich soils (and particularly when these are cultivated inorganically), the leaves of some species tend to concentrate high levels of nitrates in their leaves[11]. The le
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References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Chakravarty, Hiralal. The Plant Wealth of Iraq. 1976.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.