musk mallow
Malva moschata
The name 'moschata' refers to the faint musk-like scent emitted by the foliage, especially when rubbed or during warm evenings.
- Scientific name
- Malva moschata
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Malvales › Malvaceae › Malva
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Dry to mesic meadows, pastures, hedgerows, and railway embankments.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic (Sunlight, water, and soil minerals).
- Range
- Europe, North Africa, Southwestern Asia, North America (Naturalized)
- Size
- 30-80 cm in height
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Intensive agricultural mowing, herbicide use, and loss of traditional meadow habitats.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and gentle. You may safely approach to enjoy its mild, musky fragrance. The plant is non-toxic and historically used in herbalism; however, do not consume plants from roadsides where they may have absorbed vehicle pollutants. No special action is required if touched.
Malva moschata ( musk mallow or musk-mallow ) is a species of Malva native to Europe and southwestern Asia, from Spain north to the British Isles and Poland, and east to southern Russia and Turkey.
Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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