Malvastrum lateritium
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −12.2 °C
Cultivation
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil. One report says that it grows and flowers best in a sun-baked nitrogen-starved soil, whilst another says that it requires a rich soil to do well. This species is not very cold tolerant, but will usually survive wnters outdoors in southern Britain. The plant produes long trailing stems, it is a weak climber, but grows well as a creeping plant where its stems make an effective ground cover.
Propagation
Seed - best sown in early spring in a cold frame. The seed germinates quickly and easily. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in protected conditions for their first winter. Plant them out in their permanent positions in the early summer[K]. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of side shoots, July/August in a cold frame.
Edible uses
Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. The young leaves have a pleasant mild flavour with a mucilaginous texture, they make an acceptable addition to a mixed salad[K]. Flowers - raw[K].
Material uses
The plant produces long trailing stems and can be used for ground cover[K].
Habitat
Not known
Native range
Southern South America - Argentina.