Mallow Family:-

"Mostly non-woody plants, usually downy or softly hairy, the usually large stalked flowers characterised by having a double calyx, the inner ring larger and often appearing rather inflated; also 5 notched petals and a prominent bunch of stamens. Leaves palmately lobed or cut, stalked and toothed. Fruits disc-shaped, 'rounde and flat, made lyke little cheeses', whence the name 'Cheesecakes'." from Collins Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers by David McClintock and R.S.R. Fitter assisted by Francis Rose - ISBN 0 00 219363 9 - Eleventh Impression 1978.

Mallow Family plant table with its Common Name - Botanical Name. Flowering Months Range. Habitat with link to that Loosestrife to Olive Wild Flower Families Gallery:-

Common Name

Botanical Name

Flowering Months

Habitat

Common Mallow

Malva sylvestris

June onwards

A drought-tolerant perennial herb of well-drained, often nutrient-enriched soils in unshaded situations, found on roadsides, railway banks, waste ground and field-borders, often near settlements, around farms and in the shelter of walls, occasionally on sea-cliffs. It reproduces freely from seed. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers from Strood in Kent in June

Foliage in September

Form

Cornish Mallow

Lavatera cretica

(Malva linnaei)

June onwards

Roadsides and Wasteland (near the sea in West Cornwall, Pembrokeshire, the Scilly and Channel Islands)

Dwarf Mallow

Malva neglecta

June onwards

An annual which sometimes overwinters, occurring in waste places, gateways, paths, rough ground and on roadsides (often near habitation), occasionally on coastal drift-lines. It favours shallow, dry soils, and is tolerant of grazing and mowing, but not of competition with more vigorous species. Lowland. This species can form large mats if conditions are right. The little flowers are quite striking but the plant should not be willingly spread as it is introduced in the U.S.

Flower in July

Flower bud in July

Foliage in July

Form in October

Marsh Mallow

Althaea officinalis

August-September

Salt-marshes (in dykes near the sea, and in the drier parts of salt-marshes)

Flower at Burham in Kent in August

Flowers in August

Foliage on 18 August

Form on 18 August

Musk Mallow

Malva moschata

July-August

A perennial herb of roadsides, hedge banks, woodland edges, pastures, field-borders, river banks and grassy waste places, preferring well-drained soils in unshaded or lightly shaded situations. It is tolerant of moderate levels of grazing or mowing, and seed is persistent in the soil. Predominantly lowland, but reaching 305 m at Scarth Nick (N.W. Yorks.), with an exceptional record at 845 m (Great Dun Fell, Westmorland). It is often cultivated. The flower color of the species is variable, ranging from pure white to pink or blue.

Flower from Hampshire. Photo from BritishFlora

Form from Hampshire. Photo from BritishFlora

Rough Marsh-mallow

Althaea hirsuta

June-July

An annual, or rarely biennial, herb naturalised on open, dry calcareous soils, particularly on S.-facing slopes, and in woodland. The long-lived seed requires disturbance for germination, and populations are subject to marked annual fluctuations in numbers. It also occurs as a casual on waste ground. Lowland.

Flower in Kent in July

Flowers in Kent in July

Foliage in Kent in July

Form in Kent in July

Flower Bud in Kent in July

Flower in Kent

Foliage in Kent

Flower Buds in Kent

Tree Mallow

Lavatera arborea

(Malva arborea)

July-September

A monocarpic herb, rarely native more than 100 m from the coast. It usually grows in shallow, nutrient-enriched soils, occurring most frequently amongst vegetation in sea-bird roosts, and on ground enriched by garden waste. Plants are killed by severe frost and the species is therefore restricted to mild micro-climates near the sea. Lowland.

Flower at Waterville in Kerry on 24 June

Flowers at Waterville on 24 June

Foliage at Waterville on 24 June

Form at Sandwich in Kent in July