Eastern Tree-mallow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Eastern Tree-mallow
• Gay Mallow
• Thuringian Mallow

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Althaea thuringiaca
• Lavatera thuringiaca
• Olbia thuringiaca

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it follows the order Malvales and is a member of the family Malvaceae. Specifically, Malva thuringiaca is identified under the genus Malva.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented within the territories of Finland and Sweden. Moving toward the central part of the continent, it can also be found throughout Middle Europe. Specifically, its range includes the countries of Austria, Germany, and the Czechia-Slovakia region. Consequently, these locations define the known geographical boundaries for this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Malva thuringiaca is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse and often challenging environmental conditions. This species is found across a broad spectrum of habitats, ranging from lush forests and open meadows to more arid landscapes such as semi-deserts, steppes, and shrubberies. It demonstrates a strong ability to colonize stony places, suggesting a tolerance for poor or rocky soils. Its distribution is also marked by significant altitudinal plasticity, allowing it to thrive in varied topographical settings from lowland areas up to mountainous regions, reaching an elevational range maximum of 2000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, meadows, mountains, semidesert, shrubberies, steppe, stony places

Life history

The life history of Malva thuringiaca is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire biological development from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a hemicryptophyte, the plant's perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable periods. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal growth pattern.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Malva thuringiaca is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber. It exhibits a versatile ecological habit, capable of thriving in aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a minimum height of 0.25 m, with the potential to grow up to a maximum height of 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Malva thuringiaca is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and specialized pollination and dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period typically commences in June and continues through September. This reproductive cycle relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects to facilitate fertilization. Furthermore, the plant exhibits the capacity for self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success even under varying environmental conditions. Once seeds are developed, they possess a consistent mass of approximately 0.0037 g (with both the minimum and maximum recorded values at this level). The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous strategy, specifically through epizoochory, where seeds are transported by attaching to the bodies of animals.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.0037 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Malva thuringiaca has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bisabolol oxide A, Elaidic acid, Herniarin, MYRISTIC ACID, Phytol.

Bisabolol oxide A

1. International journal of biomaterials

Elaidic acid

1. International journal of biomaterials

Herniarin

1. International journal of biomaterials

MYRISTIC ACID

1. International journal of biomaterials

Phytol

1. International journal of biomaterials

Pulegone

1. International journal of biomaterials

Spathulenol

1. International journal of biomaterials

VERBENONE

1. International journal of biomaterials

linoleic acid

1. International journal of biomaterials

linolenic acid

1. International journal of biomaterials