Musk Mallow is a hardy perennial wildflower found in pastures, woodland margins, hedgerows and roadsides. It has large, pretty, pink (rarely, white) flowers and stems and leaves have a musky smell. It flowers July to September and grows 2 – 3 ft high (30 – 60 cm). “Malva” means soft, referring to the plant’s downy leaves.
Benefits of Musk Mallow to Wildlife
Musk Mallow is the food plant of the Mallow Skipper butterfly and caterpillars of the Painted Lady butterfly. Bees also like to visit!
Medicinal Uses of Musk Mallow
The plant was used in bath water or poultices to help heal burns. Its leaves reduce inflammation and bee stings and it can be made into a tea for colds and bronchitis. Fruits are edible and taste like peanuts apparently. ALWAYS seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using wild plants as remedies!
