Malva Moschata

The musk mallow (Malva moschata L.) is one of the four species of mallow that is native to out temperate climes and belongs to the mallow family (Malvaveae). It grows on grassland, along the wayside and on fallow land. The cultivated variety is also found in flower borders. The tall thick stem bears masses of pink or white flowers from July to September. The leaves of this plant, which can grow to a height of approximately 28", can differ and are more or less deeply divided. When touched, these leaves give off a faint musky smell, especially in warm weather. The botanical name comes from the Greek "malakos", kind, a reference to the soothing, healing nature of the plant. Other mallow species, such as the wild mallow (Malva sylvestris L.), also have these properties. Pliny (77 BC) wrote : "Drink half a bowl of (mallow) juice and you will be immune to all ills." The white root and bright green leaves used to be placed on wounds as compresses, and the plant extract has been drunk to ward off coughs. Like the wild mallow, the musk mallow can be cooked and served as a vegetable. The much smaller cheesecake mallow (Dutch cheese mallow, Malva neglecta L.) is also used externally for oral hygiene purposes because of it's calmative and anti-inflammatory properties.