Common Name:
VERVAIN MALLOW
|
Coefficient of Conservatism:
*
Coefficient of Wetness:
5
Wetness Index:
UPL
Physiognomy:
Ad P-Forb
R. W. Smith
Roadsides, railroads, fields, gardens, and disturbed ground. The earliest Michigan collection seen is from 1860 (Shiawassee Co.). A European species, locally adventive or escaped from cultivation. Especially well established in the vicinity of Middle Village, Emmet Co.
The upper leaves are less narrowly incised than in M. moschata, and the lower leaves are only shallowly lobed. Basal leaves in both species tend to be merely cordate. Malva alcea is generally characterized by having some stellate hairs on all vegetative parts; in M. moschata, there are rarely a few stellate hairs on the outside of the calyx. The mericarps in both species may bear straight white hairs at maturity.