Marshmallow (Malva parviflora): Weed management guide for Australian vegetable production

Abstract

Marshmallow (also sometimes called ‘small-flowered mallow’ or ‘little mallow’) is an annual sprawling herb, native to the Mediterranean region, with a single long taproot. It can grow up to 1.2 m in height and 2.1 m in width.The plant is woody at the base. Leaves are dull dark green and surrounded with scalloped lobes and radiating veins. They are variable in size, at 2 to 12 cm wide and 1 to7 cm long. Flowers emerge in clusters, with five notched petals white to pale pink, around 5 mm in length. Fruit is a round capsule approximately 1 cm in diameter, containing between 8 and 12 non-hairy seeds. When ripe, these change colour from green to dark brown. There are several other Malva and related species present in Australia, many of which are also weeds of disturbed sites such as cultivation, gardens, drains and roadsides but less prevalent than marshmallow. These include: Tree mallow, Malva arborea; Musk mallow, Malva moschate; Dwarf mallow, Malva neglecta; Mallow-of-Nice, Malva nicaeensis; Cretan mallow, Malva pseudolavatera; Tall mallow, Malva sylvestris; Spiked malvastrum, Malvastrum americanum; Red-flowered mallow, Modiola caroliniana.