Species

Malva arborea

Etymology

arborea: From the Latin arbor 'tree', meaning tree-like

Common Name(s)

tree mallow

Authority

Malva arborea (L.) Webb & Berthel.

Family

Malvaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

NVS Species Code

MALARB

The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

Lavatera arborea; Malva dendromorpha M.F.Ray (1998)

Habitat

Terrestrial. Waste places, cultivated land, Coastal sites.

Features

Stout biennial herb, usually with a single stem up to 2 m tall. Stems hairy when young, becoming hairless and woody at base when older. Leaves velvety to the touch, with 5-7 lobes, up to 20 cm across. Lilac to purple flowers arranged in clusters at end and along upper parts of the stem. 6-8 seeds per fruit.

Similar Taxa

There are several other large Malva species that have naturalised in New Zealand.

Flowering

August, September, October, November, January, February, March, April, May.

Flower Colours

Violet / Purple

Year Naturalised

1870

Origin

W. and S. Europe, N. Africa

Reason for Introduction

Ornamental

Life Cycle and Dispersal

Spreads by seed, 6-8 seeds produced by each fruit. Dispersed by soil movement.

Tolerances

Prefers high light, thrives in disturbed sites and can tolerate salt.

Taxonomic Notes

Long known as Lavatera arborea, in 1998 this species was transferred to Malva by Ray (1998).

References and further reading

Ray, M.F. 1998: New combinations in Malva (Malvaceae: Malveae). Novon 8: 288-295.

Hill, S.R. 2009: Notes on California Malvaceae including nomenclatural changes and additions to the flora. Madroño 5.

This page last updated on 22 Nov 2014