Comments

High Mallow is one of several Malva spp. that have been introduced from Europe. Some of these are attractive horticultural plants, while others are common weeds. High Mallow belongs to the former. It can be distinguished from other mallows by its large reddish-purple flowers (with obcordate petals) and shallowly to moderately lobed leaves. Other large mallows in Illinois usually have deeply divided leaves and white to rosy pink flowers. Another introduced species, Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) sometimes has similarly colored flowers, but it is a taller plant (up to 6-8') with larger flowers (3' across or more) and the petals of its flowers are more overlapping.