| Malva parviflora | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Malva |
| Species: | M. parviflora
|
| Binomial name | |
| Malva parviflora | |
Malva parviflora is an annual or perennial herb that is native to Northern Africa, Europe and Asia and is widely naturalised elsewhere.[1] Common names include cheeseweed,[1] cheeseweed mallow, Egyptian mallow,[1] least mallow,[2] little mallow,[1] mallow,[3] marshmallow,[3] small-flowered mallow,[4] small-flowered marshmallow[5] Nafa Shak and smallflower mallow.[3] It typically grows on agricultural lands and in disturbed sites such as roadsides. [6]
M. parviflora leaf extracts possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.[7] Under some conditions, the plant's leaves and seeds can be toxic to cattle and poultry due to an accumulation of nitrates.[6]
It has a decumbent or erect habit, growing up to 50–80 cm in height.[4][6] The broad leaves have 5 to 7 shallow lobes and are 8 to 10 cm in diameter.[4] The lobe edges are round toothed, with varying hairiness.[6] It has small white or pink flowers year-round at the base of leaf stalks; flowers have 4 to 10 mm long petals.[4][6] The 2 mm seeds are reddish-brown and kidney-shaped.[6]
Newly sprouted plants have hairless, heart-shaped cotyledons with long stalks. These cotyledons are 3–12 mm long and 3–8 mm wide. Stalks usually do have hairs. The first leaf is rounder and larger than the others. True leaves are round and weakly lobed with wavy, shallow-toothed edges and a red spot at the leaf base. The plant rapidly grows a deep taproot.[6]
