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.
Photo tips:
The following views are required to identify the species:
** A photo of the entire plant. Is it decumbent or upright? How tall is it?
** A side view of the flower. Are the petals the same length as the calyx? 2x? 6x? Are the epicalyx segments separate or joined? Wide or narrow?
** A close-up of the fruit enclosed in the calyx and one with the calyx peeled back or removed. Is the fruit smooth? Hairy? Wrinkled?
How to identify Malva nicaeensis:
Similar Species:
How to differentiate M. nicaeensis from M. multiflora:
References:
Keys:
** http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=119571
** https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/blue_celery/66193-malva-sylvestris-vs-multiflora-vs-nicaeensis-vs-parviflora-key
iNaturalist:
** https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/61043-Malva-nicaeensis
** https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/malva-nicaeensis-bull-mallow
** https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/73139-how-to-identify-malva-nicaeensis-bull-mallow
Comments
Love this, thanks!
@truthseqr I've had some confusion about this partly because of the Calflora page you reference. Since you wrote this some new photos added there seem to be mislabeled M. multiflora.
@heehaw, I hear your frustration and I share it. There are also some questionable Malva IDs on the Monterey Wildflowers website. I'm not a botanist, so I can't really challenge the professionals who post those pictures.
I find the first reference listed above to be the most credible, so that is the one I use to guide my IDs.
@truthseqr Yes, the guide from NZ has been the best thing for me too!
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