This is one of the weedy members of the Mallow family. Most mallows are erect perennial plants with large flowers, while Common Mallow is an annual vine with average-sized flowers. In open areas, it tends to form a mat of leaves and stems across the ground that can extend several feet. It has a similar appearance to another introduced species, Malva rotundifolia (Dwarf Mallow). The Dwarf Mallow has smaller flower petals that are only slightly larger than the lobes of the calyx, while the flower petals of the Common Mallow are twice the length of the calyx lobes. The Dwarf Mallow is less common in Illinois.

This adventive species is an annual that forms a branching vine up to 3' in length. The stems have abundant white hairs. The alternate leaves occur on long petioles along the stems. The leaves are up to 2½" long and 3" across, while the petioles are about twice as long as the leaves. The palmate leaves are orbicular to kidney-shaped (reniform), with 5 or more shallow lobes, and a crenate margin. They are deeply indented at the base and often have short hairs across the upper or lower surface. Occasionally, a short flowering stalk (peduncle) about 1" long will occur above the leaf axils, each stalk producing 1-3 flowers. Each flower is about ¾" across and has 5 slightly notched petals. The petals are light violet or white, often with pale violet lines along their length. The green calyx has 5 lobes with ovate tips that are about one-half the length of the petals. In the center of the flower, there is a central reproductive column with single pistil and numerous stamens appressed together. In the absence of a major disturbance, the blooming period usually occurs during the summer and lasts about 2-3 months. However, some plants will bloom during late spring or early fall. Each flower is replaced by a fruit that has a wheel-like shape in which the flat seeds are aligned in a circular row. The outer edge of these seeds is often hairy. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself.

Malva neglecta Wallr.:
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)
South Africa (Africa & Madagascar)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
Panama (Mesoamerica)

Canada

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Distribution: Worldwide but of Old World origin. Naturalized in America. In Pakistan it widely occurs from plains to 14000 ft.

The Common Mallow is occasional to common in most areas of central and northern Illinois, while in southern Illinois it is often uncommon or absent. Habitats include cropland, abandoned fields, farm lots, vacant lots, areas along roads and railroads, edges of yards, and gardens. Highly disturbed areas are preferred, while the invasive potential of this species to natural habitats is low. This species is adventive from Europe.

Prostrate or decumbent, perennial, basally woody herb. Branches stellate pubescent, densely so on young parts. Leaves orbicular, deeply cordate at base, 1-3 (-4) cm long, 1-4(-6) cm broad, simple-stellate hairy above, stellate below, crenate, occasionally shallowly 5-lobed;stipules ovate-lanceolate,c.5mm long, c. 2 mm broad, scarious, margin ciliate; petiole 3-12 (-25) cm long, stellate; pubescent, dense so above, glabrescent below. Flowers axillary, generally 3 on 4 in fascicles, occasionally solitary, particularly on the lower branches; pedicel (0.5-) 1-3 cm long, stellate pubescent. Epicalyx segments linear to linear-lanceolate, stellate pubescent, 3-4 mm long, c.l mm broad. Calyx free to the middle, 5-8 mm long, stellate pubescent; lobes 3-5 mm broad, deltoid or triangular. Petals 10-13 mm long, 3-4 mm broad, oblong-obovate, retuse, claw hairy on the margin, purplish or pinkish. Stamina] column 5-7 mm long, pubescent. Fruit depressed, 5-6 mm across; mericarps 13-15, pubescent, smooth margin usually rounded, 1.5-2 mm across in all directions. Seed dark brown, pubescent, reniform, 1 mm long and broad.

The Common Mallow is occasional to common in most areas of central and northern Illinois, while in southern Illinois it is often uncommon or absent. Habitats include cropland, abandoned fields, farm lots, vacant lots, areas along roads and railroads, edges of yards, and gardens. Highly disturbed areas are preferred, while the invasive potential of this species to natural habitats is low. This species is adventive from Europe.

Malva neglecta (Common Mallow) introduced
(Bees suck nectar or collect pollen; flies suck nectar or feed on pollen; other insects suck nectar; Robertson listed this plant species as Malva rotundifolia, but it is more likely Malva neglecta; observations are from Robertson)

Bees (long-tongued)
Apidae (Apinae): Apis mellifera sn fq; Apidae (Bombini): Bombus auricomus sn, Bombus impatiens sn cp, Bombus vagans sn; Anthophoridae (Ceratinini): Ceratina dupla dupla sn cp fq; Anthophoridae (Eucerini): Melissodes bimaculata bimaculata sn; Anthophoridae (Nomadini): Nomada affabilis sn, Nomada articulata sn fq; Megachilidae (Osmiini): Hoplitis pilosifrons sn, Osmia pumila sn; Megachilidae (Trypetini): Heriades leavitti sn

Bees (short-tongued)
Halictidae (Halictinae): Agapostemon sericea sn fq, Agapostemon virescens sn cp fq, Augochlora purus purus sn, Augochlorella aurata sn fq, Augochlorella striata sn fq, Augochloropsis metallica metallica sn, Halictus confusus sn cp fq, Halictus ligatus sn, Halictus rubicunda sn cp, Lasioglossum coriaceus sn, Lasioglossum illinoensis sn, Lasioglossum imitatus sn fq, Lasioglossum pectoralis sn cp fq, Lasioglossum pilosus pilosus sn, Lasioglossum truncatus sn cp, Lasioglossum versatus sn cp fq, Lasioglossum zephyrus sn; Colletidae (Colletinae): Colletes eulophi sn; Colletidae (Hylaeinae): Hylaeus affinis sn cp np, Hylaeus mesillae sn, Hylaeus modestus modestus sn fq; Andrenidae (Panurginae): Calliopsis andreniformis sn cp fq

Flies
Syrphidae: Toxomerus marginatus sn fp; Empididae: Empis distans sn; Conopidae: Zodion fulvifrons sn; Muscidae: Neomyia cornicina sn; Fanniidae: Fannia manicata sn
Butterflies
Pieridae: Pieris rapae sn, Pontia protodice sn

Beetles
Melyridae: Collops quadrimaculatus sn

Foodplant / internal feeder
larva of Apion radiolus feeds within stem of Malva neglecta

Foodplant / internal feeder
larva of Apion rufirostre feeds within fruit of Malva neglecta

Foodplant / gall
pulvinate telium of Puccinia malvacearum causes gall of live stem of Malva neglecta
Remarks: season: 4-11

The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Little Carpenter bees, Cuckoo bees (Nomadine), Mason bees, Green Metallic bees, and other Halictid bees. Other visitors of the flowers include miscellaneous flies and White butterflies, especially Pieris rapae (Cabbage White). The caterpillars of some Lepidoptera feed on mallows, including Anomis erosa (Yellow Scallop Moth), Pyrgus communis (Common Checkered Skipper), and the butterflies Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak) and Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady). The foliage is non-toxic and probably eaten by rabbits. Birds apparently make little use of the seeds.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 2
Species: 7
Species With Barcodes: 1

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked

The Common Mallow occurs in sunny places that are usually mesic to slightly dry. Growth is more luxuriant in fertile loamy soil, but it is adaptable to different soil types. During a drought, some of the lower leaves on the vine may wither away. This plant can survive irregular mowing or occasional attacks from a weed-whacker.