The Malvaceae family, commonly known as the mallow family, is a fascinating group of plants recognized for their distinctive floral structures and diverse uses. If you’re familiar with the vibrant blooms of hollyhocks or hibiscus, you’ve already encountered members of this widespread family. While wild species may exhibit smaller flowers, the telltale signs of a mallow plant are readily identifiable: funnel-shaped flowers boasting five separate petals and a prominent column of stamens encircling the pistil. These flowers also typically feature 3-5 partially fused sepals, often accompanied by bracts. A unique characteristic of Malvaceae plants is their mucilaginous, or slimy, texture, noticeable even in species adapted to arid environments when any part of the plant is crushed and rubbed between your fingers.
Globally, the Malvaceae family encompasses approximately 85 genera and 1500 species, with around 27 genera found in North America. This family includes economically significant plants like cotton, notable for being the only member with documented poisonous properties, while the rest are generally considered safe for edible and medicinal applications. Okra, a popular vegetable, is the edible fruit of a Hibiscus species, further highlighting the family’s culinary contributions. Historically, marshmallows were derived from the marshmallow plant (Althaea officinalis), and other mallow family members can serve as substitutes. Traditional marshmallow preparation involves boiling ground roots or seeds in water until reduced, then beating the liquid into a froth and sweetening it, creating a whipped cream-like confection.
The characteristic slimy texture of Malvaceae plants is attributed to natural gums like mucilage, pectin, and asparagin. This mucilaginous quality is responsible for the “marshmallow effect” and contributes to the plants’ potential uses. While not commonly consumed today, the leaves of many mallow family plants are edible as salad greens or potherbs. The flowers and seeds are also edible, offering further culinary possibilities.
Medicinally, the mucilage content of mallows provides soothing properties comparable to Aloe vera or cactus. Externally, mallows can be used as emollients to relieve sunburn and other inflammatory skin conditions. Internally, they act as demulcents and expectorants, offering relief for sore throats.
Key Characteristics of Malvaceae Plants:
- Flowers: 5 separate petals, funnel-shaped.
- Stamens: Distinctive column of stamens surrounding the pistil.
- Texture: Mucilaginous (slimy) when crushed.
Key to Genera in the Rocky Mountains Region
This simplified key helps identify common genera of Malvaceae in the Rocky Mountains based on flower and bract characteristics.
No bracts beneath flowers:
- Flowers cream-colored. Fruit is a capsule. Hibiscus trionum
- Flowers yellow. Fruit forms a ring of seeds. Abutilon theophrasti
One to several bracts beneath flowers. Fruit forms a ring of seeds:
- Plants 3-6 feet tall. Palmate, rounded leaves: Alcea
- Plants 3-5 feet tall. Palmate, pointed leaves: Iliamna
- Plants usually less than 3 feet tall. Mostly rounded leaves. Petal-ends notched: Malva
- Plants less than 3 feet tall. Mostly rounded leaves. Flowers whitish. Petal-ends not notched: Sida
- Plants less than 3 feet tall. Often deeply divided palmate leaves. Flowers orange: Sphaeralcea
- Plants less than 3 feet tall. Deeply divided palmate leaves. Flowers white to pink, red, or lavender: Sidalcea
- Plants less than 3 feet tall. Leaves 3-5 parted. Hairy. Flowers reddish-purple: Callirhoe involucrata
Mallow: MalvaReturn to Key
| Tall Mallow: Malva sylvestris. Tall mallow, native to Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa, is widely naturalized. | Tall Mallow: Malva sylvestris. This resilient plant can thrive even when mowed, but grows taller if left undisturbed. |
| Malva sp. Cheese Mallow. A common mallow species found throughout the U.S. |  Foraging the Mountain WestForaging Guide. |
Wild Hollyhock: IliamnaReturn to Key
| Iliamna rivularis. Mountain Hollyhock displaying its characteristic flower structure. | Iliamna rivularis. Mountain Hollyhock close-up showing petal and stamen details. |
| Foraging the Mountain West](https://hopspress.com/Books/Foraging_The_Mountain_West.htm)Book on foraging wild plants. |
Common Hollyhock: AlceaReturn to Key
| Alcea rosea, also known as Althaea rosea, showcasing the classic hollyhock form. | Alcea rosea, or Althaea rosea, a cultivated variety of Common Hollyhock. |
Scarlet Globe Mallow: SphaeralceaReturn to Key
| Sphaeralcea coccinea. Scarlet globe mallow in full bloom, displaying vibrant color. | Sphaeralcea coccinea. Scarlet globe mallow found in Pony, Montana. |
| Sphaeralcea sp. Scarlet globe mallow highlighting the genus’s characteristic flower shape. | Sphaeralcea sp. Scarlet globe mallow thriving at Fort Bowie National Historic Monument, Arizona. |
Also in the Mallow Family
| Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Chinese hibiscus, also known as China rose. | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Chinese hibiscus flower detail. |
| Gossypium hirsutum. Upland cotton plant, an economically vital member of the Mallow family. | Gossypium hirsutum. Upland cotton boll, the source of natural cotton fibers. |
| [Fremontodendron californicum. California Flannelbush. |
Explore more Mallow Family pictures at PlantSystematics.org.
| Identify plants with Botany in a Day Plant identification guide book cover. | Start feasting with Foraging the Mountain West Wild food foraging book cover. |
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