Mallow

Description:

The Mallow is a spreading hairy biennial herb, with strong, round and hairy stem, dark green lobed leaves and striking purple five petaled flowers. It can grow up to 1 m tall, and can be growing straight upwards or creeping (like here).

Habitat:

European species, widespread and growing in various habitats, often found on rough and rocky ground, or close to roads and around ruins. Here, seen creeping up the slopes of a small pond, on edges of broad-leaved forested zone, outskirts of urban center and on the Franco-Swiss border.

Notes:

The plant found its uses in traditional medicine and herbalism, as the seed decoction are used as soothing agent for mucous membranes; while leaves are used in poultices as skin-moisturiser. Young leaves can also be used boiled, as vegetables.