Egyptian mallow (Malva parviflora, Sp. Pl.: 226 (1753))

Family: Malvaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 226 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Malva

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Pakistan and Sahara

Description

The Egyptian mallow, known scientifically as Malva parviflora, is a noteworthy member of the Malvaceae family. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1753 in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” (Sp. Pl.: 226), this species is recognized for its wide geographical distribution, extending from the Macaronesian islands and the Mediterranean region to Pakistan and the expanse of the Sahara.

Malva parviflora typically thrives in a variety of climates and conditions, contributing to its broad dispersion across diverse habitats. This versatility underscores the plant’s adaptability and resilience in facing variable environmental challenges.

Botanically, the Egyptian mallow boasts small yet distinctive flowers, a characteristic feature that aids in identifying this species among its peers within the Malvaceae family. These flowers, although modest in size, embody the robust essence of the plant.

The Egyptian mallow’s extensive distribution and adaptability make it a subject of interest not only for botanists and horticulturists but also for ecologists studying plant resilience and distribution patterns across different ecosystems.

Common Names

Eng: cheeseweed mallow, egyptian mallow, least mallow, small-flowered mallow, cheeseweed, little mallow, ring-leaf mallow, small-flower mallow, small-whorl mallow, whorl-flower mallow, whorled mallow, alkali mallow, country mallow, small whorled cheeseweed, small-whorled mallow
Nld: kleinbloemig kaasjeskruid
Deu: kleinblütige malve
Spa: malvilla menor, malva de castilla, malva de campo, quesillo, quesitos
Fra: mauve parviflore, mauve d’egypte, mauve à petites fleurs
Dan: småblomstret katost
Ara: khubeizah
Swe: kvarnkattost, myllymalva
Por: malva, malva-crespa, malva-de-botica, malvaísco
Fin: myllymalva
Nno: møllekattost
Nob: møllekattost
Ces: sléz malokvětý
Cym: hocys bach, hocysen fach, hocysen leiaf
En: Egyptian mallow, Cheeseweed, Least mallow, Small-flower mallow, Whorl-flower mallow, Whorled mallow, Little mallow, Ring-leaf mallow, Cheeseweed mallow, Small-flowered mallow, Small-whorl mallow, Alkali mallow, Country mallow, Small whorled cheeseweed, Small-whorled mallow
Ar: Khubeizah, خبازى (خُبازى)، خبيزه (خُبيزه), خبيز (خُبَيْز), رقمه (رَقْمه)، رقميه (رَقميه), قعره، القبله
Ca: Malva de flor petita
Cs: Sléz malokvětý
Da: Småblomstret katost
Nl: Kleinbloemig kaasjeskruid
Fi: Myllymalva
Fr: Mauve à petites fleurs, Mauve d’Egypte, Mauve parviflore
De: Kleinblütige Malve
He: חלמית קטנת-פרחים
It: Malva minore
Nb: Møllekattost
Nn: Møllekattost
Pt: Malva, Malva-crespa, Malva-de-botica, Malvaísco
Es: Malva de Castilla, Malva de campo, Quesillo, Quesitos, Malvilla menor, Malva
Sv: Kvarnkattost, Myllymalva
Cy: Hocys Bach, Hocysen Fach, Hocysen Leiaf

Synonyms

• Althaea parviflora ((L.) Alef.)
• Malva rotundifolia subsp. parviflora ((L.) Ball)
• Malva microcarpa var. cristata (Sennen)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chad (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Niger (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Botswana (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Desventurados Is. (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 2, 2016 by Jennifer Carré (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2019 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 17, 2022 by Daniel schefer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2019 by Fiorentini Alejandro (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 15, 2019 by greblo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2022 by nicoolo’ gentile (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by Amanda Hunt (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2019 by Tapia E.R.T (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2018 by Joe Shmoe (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 3, 2016 by EOL − lpaegel (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 20, 2022 by ecologicalrevolution (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2014 by EOL − zoozannah (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by Raymonde Wicky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Emilio Nieto (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 17, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Jun 20, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by M Kopačić (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Cyrille BEYT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Emilio Nieto (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Haggard Stacey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2021 by philippe champault (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2019 by Chatrine Ingrid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2020 by leila nisaza (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by S M (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by vale (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

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

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3152378)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:561830-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Malva parviflora L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 7