Malva verticillata var. crispa
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Exposure
- Full sun
Cultivation
A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil. This species is cultivated as a salad crop in parts of Europe. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. Plants are prone to infestation by rust fungus.
Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.
Edible uses
Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves of well-grown plants can be 15cm or more across. They have a mild and very pleasant flavour that makes an excellent addition to salads[K]. We use them as a tasty alternative to the lettuce[K]. Young seeds - raw or cooked. Used when green and immature. A pleasant nutty taste but the seed is too small and fiddly for most people to want to harvest[K].
Medicinal uses
The seed contains mucilage, polysaccharides and flavonoids. The root is used to cause vomiting in the treatment of whooping cough. The leaves and stems are said to be digestive.
Material uses
Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads.
Habitat
On plains and in arable fields.
Native range
E. Asia. A casual, occasionally established in Britain.