Family: Malvaceae
Malva parviflora
Citation:
L., Demonstr. Pl. 18 (1753).
Synonymy: M. verticillata sensu J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 555 (1952), auct. non L.; M. pusilia sensu H. Eichler, Suppl. 221 (1965), auct. non Smith.
, Malva pusilla, Malva rotundifolia Common name: Small-flowered) marshmallow.
Description:
Erect to prostrate annual or perennial herb, with main branches to c. 150 cm long but usually less than 50 cm, obscurely sparsely puberulent; leaves orbicular, 0.6-9 cm long, cordate, with 5-7 rounded lobes, dentate-crenate, on long slender petioles.
Epicalyx segments linear to narrow-linear, c. 5-15 times longer than broad, attached near the base of the calyx; calyx c. 3-4 mm long, covered by spreading stellate hairs with 4-7 arms, each arm 0.05-0.3 rarely 0.8 mm long, the calyx lobes triangular, acuminate; corolla pink or almost white, 3-5 mm long.
Schizocarp 5.5-8 mm diam., transversely rugose, pubescent, surrounded by a spreading much-enlarged scarious calyx, the mericarps 9-11 rarely 12, narrowly and partially separating from each other in the mature fruit, with angles on the dorsal surface narrowly winged, more or less dentate or undulate.
| Malva parviflora ovary, styles, enlarged style, fruit and mericarp.
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Image source: fig 439b in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).
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Published illustration:
Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 482.
Distribution:
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Waste places, disturbed areas and as a garden weed.
S.Aust.: NW, LE, NU, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE. all States. native to the Mediterranean and south-western Europe.
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Conservation status:
naturalised
Flowering time: April — Dec.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
No text
Author:
Not yet available
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