The most obvious identifying characteristic for mallows is their leaves. Mallows are a good source of those "best friend" minerals: calcium and magnesium. I have a mallow growing in my back yard, and now (thanks to you) I know what to do with it. On some plants, the lobes are very distinct. Mallows are one of the "conquistador" weeds here in the Americas. I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved finding this post! Its soft, hairy stock stands 3 to 4 feet high. A paste was made of the roots that were then cooked like scrambled eggs. This is cool. Since the plant has no special care requirements, growing common mallow is a snap. Molokhia (Corchorus olitorius) is a common vegetable in Egypt. I had heard John Kohler mention Mallow once, so I thought I'd look it up and wow was I impressed. Don’t get frustrated; the seeds will eventually sprout. The species I see around here include M. neglecta (common mallow) and M. parviflora. But when they are in season, they dominate the streets here in Los Angeles, tall and plentiful. have a bountiful crop of mallows in my back yard (identified thanks to this site), but most of them have scale on them! But the harvest window is different, depending on which part of the plant you are using. I am so excited to have found this site! Parviflora is also Latin and means "small-flowered." I have some weeds in my yard that resemble this. Anyone have any ideas as to why so much scale on my mallow? I ate these all the time with my friends as a kid. It grows wild in my garden, getting rid of it in my vegetable garden but letting it grow in other areas. Recalls childhood summers--the two grassy tracks we called a driveway--and the chamomile on the rise in the middle. I'll add you to my recipe section. Mallow is an easy plant to grow and the seeds tend to germinate readily. Wait until pods are dry and ready to burst open. Its nickname, in fact, is Egyptian spinach. I will be trying it for that! Malva is a large family of plants though. The flowers and the round seed pods are small and often obscured by the leaves. Thank you so much - Tessa. our painted lady butterflies just laid eggs! Molokhia grows from 6 to 8 feet in height with few side branches. I did find a very few new, tender leaves that I could use in a salad, but it was a pain (literally) bending over so long searching for them. So I try to get to the leaves when they're young. Gonna have to get some of those seeds. I have mallow growing in my yard but am afraid to eat much of it because of all the warnings about a plant called "country mallow". Very neat lens, not a plant that grows in my neck of the woods or at least I don't think it does. Buy their seeds? Great lens! Once the pods are dry it is time for harvesting freesia seed. (Global warming, anyone?) Also impressed that John has a link here too. We are total newbies. Nicole Pellegrini from New Jersey on March 17, 2012: I had no idea these plants were edible - thanks for the introduction to them! Once the flowers begin to fade in spring, I look for tiny, dried out seed pods, which is where the seeds are contained. I have another common mallow recipe on my food blog that's delicious. Joan Hall (author) from Los Angeles on September 20, 2010: I just looked up hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale) and it looks similar to a mustard plant I have in my yard. Tastes like a cross between seaweed and kale - very good! The only resources that I have seen that talk about using the roots are for making marshmallows or for medicinal purposes. for them everyday. Thanks for letting me learn something new today! Thank you. Thank you so much for this info. Joan Hall (author) from Los Angeles on March 09, 2011: @anonymous: With the mallows I see, that seems to be something that happens with the passing of time. It's growing like crazy in my back yard right now! I find that interesting as this plant seems to have a 'heart' to heal. I am really excited about that. :). If you can't find any mallows in any lawns or planters, you might try a nearby park. Very informative Lens, I've used it in salads. I'll have to take a closer look! Out here the flowers on the mallows don't get very big at all, but folks in other locations would enjoy this. Sow the seeds into the ground in groups of 5-6, but make sure you don’t place them too deeply into the ground. Thank you so much for this article. we need mallow leaves asap and i can't seem to find any around our house. Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) is a perennial flowering weed of moist, damp places. Many species of mallows (commonly known as hibiscus) grow near or in water. Have bookmarked! The leaves are sauteed or used in soups, where it acts as a thickening agent, like it's relative okra. well done, this one and the last one I saw on yours have purple stars, way to go, keep writing! Frugal and healthy! The genus name for mallow is malva, which is derived from the Greek malakos, meaning "soft." The first two leaves of the mallow that grows rampant in our area are perfectly heart shaped. Stephanie Tietjen from Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 01, 2012: I wish this one grew on my property. This guide will show you how to identify and prepare a few species of edible mallows, as well as provide background on where they come from and how they were named. Step 3 Cover the small seeds lightly, 1/4- to a 1/2-inch deep, and water well. I would love to try it. The word neglecta is frequently used in naming weeds that spring up in untended areas. As the plant gets older, the leaves get buggy or get the little yellow bumps on them. But now, I wish I had that garden again, so I could try them. I don't think she knows that mallow is edible, will have to tell her. When the leaves are young, they're in good condition. Your email address will not be published. They originated in Europe and Asia, were introduced to the New World by European settlers, and then proceeded to take over the territory. Great post, thanks for sharing this! My mom was curious about the plants that she remembered from childhood, and she always liked Malva neglecta, remembering it as the plant that she fed to the chickens. Linda Jo Martin from Post Falls, Idaho, USA on November 08, 2012: So cool! Spacing. GramaBarb from Vancouver on September 30, 2010: Did I ever learn a lot just now! Neglecta is Latin and means "neglected" or "ignored." Joan Hall (author) from Los Angeles on August 16, 2011: @anonymous: I didn't see any places where you could buy whole mallow leaves, but here is a link where you can buy seeds if you want to grow it: Mallow seeds from Amazon, where i can buy the mallow leaves please? Harvesting seeds from spent flowers is easy to do. I have never heard of this plant. Learn how to harvest marshmallow root here, https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbrp1y2n8fl/?taken-by=bedbathandbees, Kidney stones, pain, or urinary tract infection. We called them Cheeseweed and loved the little soft seeds. My favorite salad base is a combination of mallow and sow thistle leaves. But I have to admit I don't like okra 'cos its slimy so I might not be a fan of these mallows either. They're on the small side, but they're mallows. Very interesting lens! Great information and I love the embedded videos too. I originally heard Mallow was edible, from John Kohler of Growing Your Greens.com, but this gave me even more information. But, I couldn't find any, so I didn't get to try them. How to Harvest Freesia Seeds. Always learn something new from you and thanks for the Sherlock idea! They are an enemy to the well-manicured lawn, but a friend to foragers. Oh my goodness! Joan Hall (author) from Los Angeles on April 30, 2019: @RJ This is not the plant that was used to make marshmallows, but the two plants are relatives. Should we curse our early ancestors as being invasive- when they really were! Marshmallow seeds take time to germinate, typically several weeks. Thanks! I was hoping to try a few new recipes using mallow. The flowers are born along the upper stalk. Mallow Plant With Pink Bloom. Flowers, leaves, and root are edible. I have spent almost two hours looking for what I have growing wild on my property. You can get Mallow seeds from Listia---it's where you "exchange stuff for other stuff" -- It's a free auction site-- I put some Purple Mallow seeds up there just a few days ago and I'm going to be putting some more up very soon so keep checking.Grow your own Mallow ! My grandchildren love the "cheeseys"....I just read one article that says the common mallow has a component that may stop autoimmune responses in people.