Family: Malvaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 690 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Malva
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to W. Türkiye
Description
Musk mallow, scientifically named Malva moschata, is a captivating flowering plant renowned for its delicate beauty and gentle fragrance. First documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has remained a beloved species among gardeners and plant enthusiasts for centuries. Belonging to the Malvaceae family, musk mallow thrives in a variety of environments, extending its native range from Europe to western Türkiye.
This perennial herb typically reaches a height of 60 to 90 centimeters, characterized by its deeply lobed, bright green leaves that are soft to the touch. The plant produces an abundance of charming pink or white flowers, each about 5 centimeters in diameter. The flowers are known for their mildly sweet, musk-like scent, which gives the plant its common name. These blooms appear in clusters throughout the summer months, attracting a range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making musk mallow an excellent choice for enhancing biodiversity in gardens.
Musk mallow’s preference for well-drained soils and sunny locations means that it can often be found adorning meadows, roadsides, and woodland edges. It is quite adaptable and can tolerate a range of soil types, though it thrives best in fertile, moist conditions.
In cultivation, musk mallow can be propagated by seed or division, and once established, it typically requires minimal maintenance. Its resilience and ease of growth make it a valued addition to both formal gardens and naturalistic settings. Moreover, its presence can add a touch of elegance and a cottage garden feel to any landscape.
In summary, Malva moschata, or musk mallow, is not only an aesthetically pleasing plant but also a practical choice for those looking to create pollinator-friendly spaces. Its widespread presence from Europe to western Türkiye attests to its adaptability and enduring popularity. Whether grown for its ornamental appeal or its sweet, musky aroma, musk mallow is a timeless favorite in the world of horticulture.
Common Names
Deu: bisam-malve, moschus-malve, moschus-malve, siegmarswurz
Lit: kvapioji dedešva
Fra: mauve musquée
Dan: moskus-katost
Eng: musk mallow, musk-mallow, musk cheeseweed, musk plant
Por: malva-cheirosa
Nob: moskuskattost
Nno: moskuskattost
Est: muskus-kassinaeris
Nld: muskuskaasjeskruid
Swe: myskimalva, myskmalva
Fin: myskimalva
Hun: pézsmamályva
Ces: slez pižmový
Lav: smaržīg
Pol: ślaz piżmowy
Cym: glyf mwsgaidd, hocys gwyllt, hocys mwsg, hocys simwnt, hocys-mws, hocysen fwsg, hocysen wyllt, hocysenfws, llysiau simwnt, llysiau’r sein
En: Musk mallow, Musk-mallow, Musk cheeseweed, Musk plant, White Mallow
Ar: خبازة مسكية
Bg: Мускусен слез
Ca: Malva moscada
Zh: 麝香錦葵
Kw: Malow musk
Hr: Mošusni sljez
Cs: Sléz pižmový, Slez pižmový
Da: Moskus-Katost
Nl: Muskuskaasjeskruid, Muskusmalve
Et: Muskus-kassinaeris
Fi: Myskimalva
Fr: Mauve musquée, Amours
De: Moschus-Malve, Indische Hibiscus-Malve, Bisam-Malve, Moschus-Malve, Siegmarswurz, Siegmarswurz
Hu: Pézsmamályva
Ga: Hocas muscach
It: Malva moscata
Lv: Smaržīg
Lt: Kvapioji dedešva
Mk: Мошусен слез
No: Moskuskattost
Nb: Moskuskattost
Nn: Moskuskattost
Pl: Ślaz piżmowy
Pt: Malva-cheirosa
Ru: Мальва мускусная, Просвирник мускусный
Sk: Slez pižmový
Es: Malva moschata, Flor de malva, Malva moscada, Panes, Malva
Sv: Myskmalva, Myskimalva
Cy: Hocysen fwsg, Glyf Mwsgaidd, Hocys Gwyllt, Hocys Mwsg, Hocys Simwnt, Hocys-Mws, Hocysen Wyllt, Hocysenfws, Llysiau Simwnt, Llysiau’r Sein
Synonyms
- Malva moschata var. heterophylla (Lej.)
- Malva lamottei (Jord. ex Nyman)
- Malva moschata var. laciniata ((Desr.) Godr.)
- Malva moschata var. ramondiana (Godr.)
- Malva orsiniana (Ten.)
- Malva geraniifolia (J.Gay)
- Malva moschata var. decalvata (Johanss.)
- Malva alcea subsp. moschata ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
- Malva moschata f. subglabra (Johanss.)
- Malva moschata var. integrifolia (Lej.)
- Bismalva laciniata (Fourr.)
- Malva cordistipula (Steud.)
- Malva dethardingii (Link ex Dethard.)
- Alcea pinnatifida (Gilib.)
- Malva moschata f. alba (Moldenke)
- Bismalva moschata ((L.) Medik.)
- Malva laciniata (Desr.)
- Malva moschata var. intermedia (Godr.)
- Malva moschata subsp. orsiniana ((Ten.) Arcang.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Austria (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Italy (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Baltic States (introduced)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- Denmark (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Finland (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Ireland (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Khabarovsk (introduced)
- Kuril Is. (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Manitoba (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- Norway (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Prince Edward I. (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Sakhalin (introduced)
- Sweden (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Siberia (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 13, 2017 by adb64 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 9, 2017 by Matesanz Ángel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 16, 2018 by Ruli Xxxxxx (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2017 by sandra nourry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2018 by emeline Jeurissen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2017 by Tercie Kadan (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 2, 2021 by Alain rivière (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 15, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2021 by wolly prins (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 30, 2021 by nucleos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 30, 2021 by nucleos (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Steven Law (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 21, 2019 by Nono Dupré (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc Gorremans (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (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/3152379)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:561790-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Malva moschata L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 5
Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 4