Malva nicaeensis is an annual or biennial herb in the Malvaea family known by the common names: bull mallow and French mallow. It is native to Europe, Asia Minor, and the Mediterranean. It has become naturalized in California.
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How to identify Malva nicaeensis:
- Height: Grows up to 6 dm (24 in).
- Stems: Erect or ascending to decumbent, prostrate or trailing. Densely hairy.
- Leaves: Round or kidney-shaped, 5 –7 shallow lobes with scalloped margins. The leaf blade is up to 12 cm (4.7 in) wide.
- Flowers: 1-4 small flowers in leaf axils. Flowers are white with faint pink and pink at the apex. Petals are blue when dry. Filament tube is hairy. There are 5 petals that are up to 2x as long as the calyx. Flowering stalks are about the same length as the calyx.
- Calyx/Epicalyx: The calyx grows larger after flowering, enclosing the fruit. The lower half of the epicalyx segments are generally fused to the calyx, not to each other.
- Fruit: Strongly reticulate, mostly glabrous, rarely hairy.
- Habitat: Disturbed places
- Peak Flowering Time: March – June
Similar Species:
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Malva multiflora (Cretan Mallow)
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Malva neglecta (Dwarf Mallow)
How to differentiate M. nicaeensis from M. multiflora:
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M. nicaeensis grows up to 6 dm (2 ft.); M. multiflora can be much taller (up to 10 ft).
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M. nicaeensis has smaller petals (up to 12 mm in length); M. multiflora has petals more than twice as long (up to 30 mm).
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M. nicaeensis petals dry bluish, usually with darker veins; M. multiflora petals dry brownish.
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M. nicaeensis has epicalyx segments that are fused to the calyx, not to each other; M. multiflora has epicalyx segments that are united for about ¼ of their length.
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M. nicaeensis has rugose (wrinkled) mericarps; M. multiflora has smooth mericarps.
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