Scientific NameMalva neglecta
Other Common Names:
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Usually growing along the ground with stems pointing upward this plant spreads by both seed and by adventitious roots from broken stems. Roots usually consist of a taproot with course branching secondary roots.
Leaves are alternate and round with veins radiating from the center where the blade attaches to the 5-20 cm long petioles.
Round leaves, white star shaped flowers and button shaped fruit.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers are white to light lavender with a purple tinge shaped like a 5 pointed star. This plant flowers late spring through early fall.
Fruit is shaped like a pizza with 12-15 segments each containing a single seed. Seed are black to reddish brown and kidney shaped.
Throughout North America this plant is a occasionally found in agronomic crops but is more of a problem in landscapes, low-maintenance turf situations, and nursery crops.
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
Approximate Flower Diameter
Dominant Flower Color
longer than leaf
Stem Cross Section
round or oval