Malva meluca
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Exposure
- Full sun
Cultivation
A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil. This species has been cultivated for the fibre contained in its stems. This species is considered to be no more than a form of M. verticillata by some botanists. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. 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. A mild pleasant flavour. Seed - raw or cooked. Best used before it is fully mature, the seed has a pleasant nutty taste but it is rather small and fiddly to harvest[K].
Material uses
A fibre obtained from the stems is a jute substitute. The seed contains up to 20% oil, it is used for making soap. Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads.
Habitat
Not known
Native range
Southern S. America.