Malva sylvestris

Mallow or Malva sylvestris is a beautiful perennial plant, with a wild and natural appearance. Standing over a metre tall, it bears lovely pink flowers on sturdy stems, emerging from dark foliage reminiscent of ivy. It is an easy plant to sow and cultivate (in partial shade or in the sun) that offers a magnificent display throughout the summer, starting from the first year of cultivation. It is hardy, tolerates almost all types of soil, and can withstand drought. As a perennial, it behaves more like a biennial and readily self-seeds.

Malva sylvestris is a medicinal plant native to sunny fallow lands and woodlands in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It belongs to the mallow family, like marshmallow (Althea officinalis) used by pharmacists. In spring, it quickly forms a clump of large, heart-shaped to rounded leaves, slightly lobed and serrated, in a beautiful dark green colour. The flowering occurs from June to September depending on the sowing date and attracts pollinating insects.

The wood mallow is ideal for natural areas, on large slopes, or in cottage gardens alongside hollyhocks, hybrid mulleins, or tall thistles.

The common mallow of our countryside is also an edible plant. Its young leaves are consumed as a vegetable in Morocco, just like spinach, prepared with lemon juice. It is a delicious dish and useful for promoting intestinal transit. This plant is also known for soothing burns and digestive disorders. In Mediterranean cuisines, it is also used raw in salads. Nowadays, they are used in the preparation of soothing balms.