# 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.

- **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.

## About

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.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/5232a823-5aba-4f25-84ae-11e6aed6aa55
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55977
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malva moschata
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/339534023/medium.jpg (Douglas Goldman, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.