Malva neglecta (Common Dwarf Mallow) on 6-15-19, #590-12.

Common Mallow, Common Dwarf Mallow, Round-Leaved Mallow,  Running Mallow, Round Dock, Umbrella Mallow, Buttonweed, Cheeseplant, Wheel of Cheese

Malva neglecta

MAL-vuh  nay-GLEK-tuh

Synonyms of Malva neglecta (9) (Updated on 12-21-23 from Plants of the World Online): Malva fruticans Dorner ex Rchb. (1841), Malva orbiculata Pomel (1875), Malva prostrata Gilib. (1782) (opus utique oppr.), Malva rotundifolia var. crispa Wimm. & Grab. (1829), Malva rotundifolia var. grandior Wahlenb. (1826), Malva rotundifolia var. intermedia Ball (1878), Malva rotundifolia var. perennans Post (1933), Malva salvitellensis V.Brig. (1816), Malva vulgaris Fr. (1824) (nom. illeg.)

Malva neglecta Wallr. is the accepted scientific name for the Common Mallow. It was named and described as such by Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Wallroth in Sylloge Plantarum Novarum in 1824.

The genus, Malva L., was described by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753. Plants of the World Online lists the genus as Malva Tourn. ex L. which suggests the genus was first named and described by Joseph Pitton de Tournefort, Mr. Linnaeus giving credit to him as indicated by the “ex”. 

As of 12-21-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 53 species in the Malva genus. It is a member of the plant family Malvaceae with a total of 246 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO. 

Distribution map of Malva neglecta from Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/. Retrieved on December 21, 2023.

The above distribution may for Malva neglecta is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple is where it has been introduced. The map for the United States and Canada from the USDA Plants Database is similar, give or take a few states.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND FOR A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

Malva neglecta (Common Dwarf Mallow) on 6-16-19, #591-32.

I have quite a colony of Malva neglecta that always grows along the northeast side of the house. Here they are annual or perennial that may come up from the roots but for sure they reseed. Plants branch out at the base and sprawl out along the ground (procumbent to ascending) and the stems have short, fine hairs (pubescent, stellate pubescent). Supposedly they do not root at their leaf nodes.

Malva neglecta (Common Dwarf Mallow) on 6-16-19, #591-33.

The leaves grow from fairly long petioles (leaf stems) which grow in an alternate arrangement along the stems. To use technical botanical language, the leaves are alternate, petiolate, ciliate-margined, reniform, dentate, and stellate pubescent… Ummm… I think they mean they are kind of palmate or kidney-shaped. The leaves grow to around 2 1/2″ long x 3″ across with 5 or more shallow lobes and have round-toothed or scalloped margins (crenate).

Malva neglecta (Common Dwarf Mallow) on 6-16-19, #591-34.

Plants usually produce 1-4 five-petaled, slightly notched flowers from stems (peduncles) that emerge from the leaf axils. Flowers are about 3/4″ across which can be pinkish, light violet, or white with darker pink lines. The center of the flower has a central reproductive column with a single pistol and numerous stamens appressed together.

For more information about this species, please refer to the links below.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the farm and other areas. I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the blog). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
GO BOTANY
FLORA FINDER
MEDIUM/PULL UP YOUR PLANTS

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂