common mallow
Family
MalvaceaeScientific Name
Malva neglecta
Other Common Names:
cheese plant
buttonweed
cheeseweed
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Malva rotundifolia
Habit
Usually growing along the ground with stems pointing upward this plant spreads by both seed and by adventitious roots from broken stems. Roots usually consist of a taproot with course branching secondary roots.
Leaves
Leaves are alternate and round with veins radiating from the center where the blade attaches to the 5-20 cm long petioles.
Identifying Characteristics
Round leaves, white star shaped flowers and button shaped fruit.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers are white to light lavender with a purple tinge shaped like a 5 pointed star. This plant flowers late spring through early fall.
Seed Fruit
Fruit is shaped like a pizza with 12-15 segments each containing a single seed. Seed are black to reddish brown and kidney shaped.
Where Found
Throughout North America this plant is a occasionally found in agronomic crops but is more of a problem in landscapes, low-maintenance turf situations, and nursery crops.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
pink
Flower Symmetry
bilateral symmetry
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
round
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
Varies:
lobed,
serrated
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
summer annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb