Fauna
Plant

Dwarf Mallow

Malva neglecta

Also known as Common Mallow, Cheeseweed, Buttonweed, Roundleaf Mallow

Dwarf mallow spreads low along the ground, forming leafy rosettes anchored into compacted soil by a sturdy taproot. Delicate five-petaled flowers bloom in pale lilac to white, tucked tightly into leaf joints throughout the warmer months. Distinctive circular seed pods form after flowering, resembling tiny segmented wheels of cheese.

HerbaceousProstrateWildflower
Dwarf Mallow reference1 / 7
(c) Marco Iboshi, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Marco Iboshi · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Aphids
  • Caterpillars
  • Rabbits
ThreatsHerbicides, soil tilling, intensive mowing
HabitatsDisturbed soil, roadsides, fields, waste places, lawns
Life span1 year (annual or short-lived perennial)
Classification
  1. OrderMalvales
  2. FamilyMalvaceae
  3. GenusMalva
  4. SpeciesMalva neglecta
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild plants have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild greens based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Petal Observation: Look closely at the small white to lilac petals for subtle pink vein lines.
  • Habitat Scouting: Find trailing stems creeping across gravel pathways, garden margins, and fence lines.
  • Fruit Inspection: Examine the ring-shaped seed pods that resemble tiny cheese wheels.
Related species
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