Common Mallow

Malva sylvestris — Malvaceae

Italiano: Malva — Marva/Merba

Description

Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) belongs to the Malvaceae family and is native to Europe. It thrives in Roadsides, Uncultivated fields, Gardens, Ruderal environments across regions including Italy, France, Germany, UK, Spain, Portugal. Botanically, Common Mallow is all parts edible. Mucilaginous leaves soups. Seeds called cheese wheels for shape.. It is also known locally as Marva/Merba. The edible parts include Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Roots. With an edibility rating of 7/10, it ranks as a good wild food source. Harvesting is best done during April, August, July, June, March, May, October and September. Nutritionally, Common Mallow stands out for its Vitamin K (200.0mg, 167% DV), Vitamin C (30.0mg, 33% DV) and Vitamin A (120.0mg, 13% DV). It also provides 3.0g protein and 3.0g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, Common Mallow offers a Mild herbaceous sweet flavor profile. Leaves soup raw young flowers tea root dried. Common culinary applications include soup, salad, tea, risotto, mousse. Popular preparations include Mallow soup, Mallow pasta, Toasted seed snack, Seed flour bread. For storage, dried 6mo Fresh 2d. Safety note: No toxicity. Antinutrient content is excess mucilages mild laxative. Safe lookalike species include Geranium Erodium. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.

🌿 Foraging Tips

Where to find: Grows in Roadsides, Uncultivated fields, Gardens, Ruderal across Italy, France, Germany, UK, Spain, Portugal.

🍳 Recipe: Mallow soup

Preparation method: Leaves soup raw young flowers tea root dried
Flavor profile: Mild herbaceous sweet
Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Roots

This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.

When to harvest: Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Lookalike (safe): Geranium Erodium
⚠️ Lookalike (toxic): No poisonous purple flowers palmate leaves
Tip: Always verify identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. When in doubt, do not eat it.

Edibility

7/10
Toxicity: No toxicity
Antinutrients: Excess mucilages mild laxative
Safe lookalikes: Geranium Erodium
Dangerous: No poisonous purple flowers palmate leaves

Harvest Calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Roots
Preparation: Leaves soup raw young flowers tea root dried
Flavor: Mild herbaceous sweet

Nutrition (per 100g)

Protein: 3.0g
Fat: 1.0g
Fiber: 3.0g
Vitamin C: 30.0mg (33%DV)
Vitamin A: 120mcg (13%DV)
Vitamin E: 1.5mg (10%DV)
Vitamin K: 200mcg (166%DV)
Folate (B9): 15mcg (3%DV)
Calcium: 99.0mg (7%DV)
Iron: 1.6mg (8%DV)
Magnesium: 35mg (8%DV)
Potassium: 250mg (5%DV)
Zinc: 0.5mg (4%DV)

Culinary Uses: soup, salad, tea, risotto, mousse Storage: Dried 6mo Fresh 2d

Recipes

  • Mallow soup
  • Mallow pasta
  • Toasted seed snack
  • Seed flour bread
  • Seed dressing granola
  • Wild winter pesto made from Common Mallow
  • Traditional Common Mallow soup
  • Common Mallow and potato frittata

Where It Grows

Continent: Europe
Regions: Italy, France, Germany, UK, Spain, Portugal
Habitat: Roadsides, Uncultivated fields, Gardens, Ruderal
⚠️
Important: Always verify plant identification before consumption. This content is for informational purposes only. Consult reliable sources and experts before eating any wild plant. Improper identification can be dangerous.

Related Plants

🌿 Black Locust🌿 Blackberry🌿 Blackthorn

Sources & References

Kew Plants of the World USDA PLANTS Wikipedia (EN)