Malva verticillata

Malva verticillata
Illustration of the leaves and seeds of M. verticillata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Malva
Species:
M. verticillata
Binomial name
Malva verticillata
Varieties
  • M. verticillata var. rafiqii
  • M. verticillata var. verticillata
Synonyms
List
    • Althaea crispa (L.) Alef.
    • Althaea verticillata (L.) Alef.
    • Malva abyssinica A.Braun
    • Malva alchemillifolia Wall.
    • Malva brevifolia Gilib.
    • Malva chinensis Mill.
    • Malva crispa (L.) L.
    • Malva glomerata G.Don
    • Malva hybrida Steud.
    • Malva meluca Graebn. ex Medw.
    • Malva mohileviensis Downar
    • Malva montana Forssk.
    • Malva neilgherrensis Wight
    • Malva nepalensis Steud.
    • Malva olitoria Nakata
    • Malva pulchella Colla
    • Malva pulchella Bernh.

Malva verticillata, also known as the Chinese mallow or cluster mallow, is a species of the mallow genus Malva in the family of Malvaceae found in East Asia from Pakistan to China. M. verticillata is an annual or biennial that grow up to 1.7 meters in high and can inhabit woodland areas of different soil types. The small, symmetrical flowers have five white, pink or red petals (0.8 cm) and thirteen or more stamens. Each flower has three narrow epicalyx bracts. The fruit is a dry, hairless nutlet. The leaves are simple and alternate.

In temperate climates, it flowers from July to September and the seeds from August to October. The flowers of the plant are self-fertile but can also be pollinated by insects.