Malva parviflora
Least mallow
Malva parviflora, commonly known as little mallow, is a versatile annual herb found globally. Renowned in traditional medicine, this plant offers significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Rich in mucilage and vitamins, it is frequently utilized to soothe digestive issues, skin irritations, and respiratory ailments in various herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Malva parviflora
- Family: Malvaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales, it is further organized into the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Malva, specifically as the species Malva parviflora.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Malva | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Malva parviflora, is recognized by various local names across different cultures and languages. In Quechua, it is referred to as Urqu rup'u, while in Swedish, it is called Kvarnkattost. Arabic speakers know it as خبازة صغيرة الأزهار, and in Welsh, it is identified as Hocysen fach. Additionally, in Japanese, the plant is commonly called ウサギアオイ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| qu | Urqu rup'u | Wikidata |
| sv | Kvarnkattost | Wikidata |
| ar | خبازة صغيرة الأزهار | Wikidata |
| cy | Hocysen fach | Wikidata |
| ja | ウサギアオイ | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 小花錦葵 | Wikidata |
| bn | নাপা শাক | Wikidata |
| pl | Ślaz drobnokwiatowy | Wikidata |
| fa | پنیرک گلریز | Wikidata |
| cs | sléz malokvětý | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad presence across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its range extends to include both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can be found throughout Middle Europe in locations such as Belgium and Germany. Additionally, its distribution reaches into Southwestern Europe, specifically within the Baleares islands. These various locations demonstrate the plant's ability to inhabit diverse European landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as little mallow, is often dismissed as mere weed leaves, yet every component holds botanical interest. The lush green leaves are a primary feature, providing a soft texture to the plant's structure. While some may mistakenly refer to them as leafs, the correct terminology highlights the importance of these foliage layers in its medicinal profile. Furthermore, the tiny fruit produced by the plant contains the seeds necessary for its continued growth in various environments.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| weed leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leafs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Malva parviflora has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include MP-1, MP-2, MP-4, alanine, ammonia.
- Total chemicals
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| MP-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MP-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MP-4 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alanine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ammonia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aspartic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cinnamic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Malva parviflora has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Free-Radical Scavenging.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Free-Radical Scavenging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Malva parviflora has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, aspergillus flavus, insulin resistance, mastitis.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Mycobacterium avium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aspergillus flavus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insulin resistance | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mastitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| retained placenta | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |