Malva

Malva
Malva sylvestris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Malvoideae
Tribe: Malveae
Genus: Malva
L.
Type species
M. sylvestris
Species

See text.

Synonyms
  • Anthema Medik.
  • Axolopha Alef.
  • Bismalva Medik.
  • Dinacrusa G.Krebs
  • Lavatera L.
  • Navaea Webb & Berthel.
  • Olbia Medik.
  • Saviniona Webb & Berthel.
  • Stegia DC.

Malva is a genus of herbaceous annual, biennial, and perennial plants in the family Malvaceae. It is 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 leaves are alternate, palmately lobed. The flowers are from 0.5–5 cm diameter, with five pink, lilac, purple or white petals.