Dwarf mallow (Malva pusilla, Engl. Bot. 4: t. 241 (1794))

Family: Malvaceae

Author: Sm.

Bibliography: Engl. Bot. 4: t. 241 (1794)

Year: 1794

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Malva

Vegetable: False

Observations: Azores, Chad, Temp. Eurasia

Description

The Dwarf Mallow, scientifically known as Malva pusilla, is a fascinating member of the Malvaceae family. This petite and resilient plant is recognized for its significant presence in a variety of regions, ranging from the Azores and Chad to the temperate areas of Eurasia.

Described in detail by Sm. in the fourth volume of the English Botanical series in 1794, Malva pusilla holds a venerable place in botanical literature. The species is well adapted to diverse climates, thriving in both temperate and subtropical environments.

The plant itself is characterized by its diminutive stature, typically growing close to the ground with a spread of rounded, softly lobed leaves. The flowers, while small, are strikingly beautiful, typically exhibiting a delicate pink or purple hue. These blossoms not only contribute to the aesthetic value of gardens and natural landscapes but also play a crucial role in supporting local pollinators.

In addition to its ecological importance, dwarf mallow has found applications in traditional medicine, where various parts of the plant are used for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. This underscores the plant’s versatility and usefulness beyond its ornamental appeal.

Overall, Malva pusilla is a noteworthy species within the Malvaceae family, celebrated as much for its hardiness and adaptability as for its subtle beauty and practical uses.

Common Names

Eng: dwarf mallow, low mallow, small mallow, round-leaved mallow, running cheeseweed
Deu: kleinblütige malve, kleine malve
Dan: liden katost, katost
Spa: malva de hoja redonda
Fra: mauve fluette, mauve à petites feuilles, mauve à feuilles rondes, fromageon, mauve à feuilles arrondies
Nob: dvergkattost
Nno: dvergkattost
Nor: gemeen katost, katost
Swe: katost, kylämalva, vit kattost
Fin: kylämalva
Nld: rond kaasjeskruid
Ces: slez nizu, sléz nizounký
Cym: hocys blodau bychan, hocysen fân-flodeuog
En: Dwarf mallow, Small mallow, Low mallow, Malva rotundifolia, Round-leaved mallow, Running cheeseweed
Ar: خبيزة ضئيلة
Az: Girdəyarpaq əməköməci
Be: Мальва нізкая
Bg: Дребен слез
Ca: Malva
Zh: 圆叶锦葵
Cs: Sléz nizounký, Slez nizu
Da: Liden katost, Katost
Nl: Rond kaasjeskruid
Fi: Kylämalva
Fr: Mauve à petites feuilles, Mauve fluette, Mauve à feuilles rondes, Fromageon, Mauve à feuilles arrondies, Petite mauve
De: Kleinblütige Malve, Nordische Malve, Kleine Malve
It: Malva boreale
No: Gemeen katost, Katost
Nb: Dvergkattost
Nn: Dvergkattost
Fa: پنیرک برگ‌گرد
Es: Malva de hoja redonda
Sv: Vit kattost, Katost, Kylämalva
Uk: Калачики дрібненькі
Cy: Hocysen fân-flodeuog, Hocys Blodau Bychan

Synonyms

• Malva rotundifolia var. grandior (Wahlenb.)
• Malva lignescens (Iljin)
• Malva parviflora (Huds.)
• Malva crenata (Kit.)
• Malva henningii (Goldb.)
• Malva rotundifolia var. leiocarpa (H.Lindb.)
• Malva rotundifolia var. henningii ((Goldb.) Trevir.)
• Malva repens (Gueldenst.)
• Malva pseudoborealis (Schur)
• Malva bracteata (Rchb.)
• Malva minor (Garsault)
• Malva rotundifolia var. pusilla ((Sm.) Gray)
• Malva borealis (Wallman)
• Althaea borealis ((Wallman) Alef.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chad (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Amur (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kamchatka (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Dominique Paquette (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2021 by Reinhard Hampel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2020 by Phil Boudreau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2017 by Tara Conler (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 3, 2021 by Piantala (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2022 by david jackson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Chad Hammond (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Miloslav Procházka (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2022 by 𝟙𝔻 𝕕𝕔𝕘𝕥 (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 23, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − الموقع الإلكتروني BioImages (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 14, 2014 by EOL − Robert L Curtis (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Diana Moxcey (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2022 by Valentina Jalšovec (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Deon Louw (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 28, 2017 by Tara Conler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2022 by Valentina Jalšovec (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:561868-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3152372)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Malva pusilla Sm.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 6

Soil salinity: 1