Common mallow

Common mallow                   Malva neglecta Wallr.

Family:   Malvaceae (mallow family)
Life cycle:  Annual or biennial
Native status: Introduced,
Habitat:  Low maintenance turf; landscapes; waste areas

General description:  Prostrate to decumbent growth habit, stems up to 2 ft long.  Leaves alternate, long petioled, round to  kidney shape with crenate margin (rounded teeth).  Short hairs on leaves and stems give them a rough texture.   Flowers have five white petals, usually with violet veins.  Fruit is a flattened disk containing 10-20 carpels.

Key ID traits:  Round leaves with long petioles and crenate margin; decumbent growth habit. Stems covered with stiff pubescence.

Similar species:  The leaves of common mallow are similar in shape to ground ivy; however, leaves of mallow are alternate versus the opposite of ground ivy. Also, common mallow leaves are rough due to pubescence and lack the minty odor of ground ivy

Miscellaneous:   A medicinal herb that was introduced from Europe. Also referred to as cheeseweed since the circular fruit resembles a wheel of cheese.  

common mallow with long petioled, circular leaves with serated margin
Spreading growth habit of common mallow with long petioled, circular leaves with serated margin
White flowers
Flowers have five rectangular white petals with notched ends.