MALLOW

Latin name: Malva sylvestris

Size: Grows to a height of around 90cms.

Distribution: Found throughout the UK.

Flowering months: Between June and September.

Habitat: Can be found along roadside verges, hedgerows and areas of waste ground.

Special features: The common mallow is the most widespread of the 12 species of mallow growing wild in Britain. The pink flowers, which are around 4cms. across, have five pink petals with darker, almost purple lines running through them.

The plant is known to have therapeutic qualities. The glue-like sap from the leaves, called 'mucilage', can be used as a soothing agent in treating bites and stings.

After it has finished flowering, the fruit forms. They are greenish in colour and arranged like a segmented round cheese. They are edible, and taste a bit like peanuts.

The leaves are often marked with brown powdery spots. This is caused by a type of fungus called 'Puccinia' which also affects cereal crops.