Malva neglecta

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions of Northern Europe. Specifically, its distribution includes the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. It can also be found growing throughout the landscapes of Finland. Furthermore, the species is commonly documented across Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the northern territories of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Malva neglecta is characterized by a broad adaptability to diverse environments, primarily occupying lowland habitats. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution capacity, thriving across a wide altitudinal gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends to high-altitude regions reaching up to 3200 m AMSL. This expansive elevational range allows the plant to colonize various ecological niches, ranging from coastal lowlands to montane zones.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Malva neglecta is characterized by a variable lifecycle that can function as an annual, biennial, or perennial, depending heavily on environmental conditions and resource availability. As a therophyte, the plant completes its biological cycle through a rapid growth process that typically culminates in seed production, allowing it to persist in disturbed habitats. Its physiological nature is deciduous, meaning it sheds its foliage as part of its seasonal growth pattern, adapting its presence to the fluctuating rhythms of its ecosystem.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Malva neglecta is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, specifically classified as a forb. This terrestrial plant, which does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite, is an independent organism that exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit. Its shoots are oriented in an ascending manner, with shoot lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 50 cm. The overall plant height is quite variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 1 m, with a mean height of approximately 0.3315 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.3315 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot length max:

50 cm

Shoot length min:

15 cm

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Malva neglecta is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating its metabolic reliance on the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. As a non-carnivorous species, it obtains its nutrients through soil absorption rather than capturing prey, and it does not function as a nitrogen fixer. The plant's leaf morphology is notably lobed, with leaf dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 0.4 cm to a maximum length of 7 cm, and a width spanning from 0.5 cm to 5 cm. These structural variations contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 1.62 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 237 cm²/g, reflecting its physiological strategy for balancing leaf thickness with surface area for light interception and gas exchange.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

lobed

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

0.4 cm

Leaf size mean:

1.62 cm²

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

237 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Malva neglecta is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being entirely absent. The plant's flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in September, producing pink flowers that range in length from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1.1 cm. The pollination strategy is biotic, specifically utilizing an insect-based syndrome with a notable reliance on bees. Fertilization is facilitated by the presence of self-fertilization capabilities within the species. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule, which is a dehisceit type. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0022656665 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.0019 g to a maximum of 0.00266 g. Dispersal of these seeds is categorized as unspecialized, relying on non-specific mechanisms to spread throughout the environment.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

1.1 cm

Flower length min:

0.7 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00266 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0022656665 g

Seed mass min:

0.0019 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Malva neglecta has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, FAT, Nitrogen, OCTACOSANE, Tannin.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Nitrogen

1. Dr. Duke

OCTACOSANE

1. Dr. Duke

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

arabinose

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

choline

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Malva neglecta has 147 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Analgesic, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker, Anthelmintic.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Malva neglecta has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include heartburn.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations