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Mallow
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Mallow

Malva

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameMallow
DescriptionVersatile medicinal herb with delicate cup-shaped flowers in pink, purple, or white with darker veins. The plant contains a soothing gel-like substance used for thousands of years to treat sore throats, coughs, and digestive problems. Young leaves and flowers are edible in salads or cooked greens. Hardy plant that self-seeds easily in gardens and roadsides. Related to hibiscus and hollyhock.
FamilyMalvaceae
GenusMalva
TribeMalveae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula⊕ ⚥ K(5) C5 A∞ G(2-∞)

This formula indicates a ⊕ denotes Actinomorphic, ⚥ denotes Bisexual, K(5) denotes Calyx with 5 fused, C5 denotes Corolla with 5 free, A∞ denotes Androecium numerous, G(2-∞) denotes Gynoecium with 2 or more fused and superior ovary

Features
  • Malva is derived from the Greek word Malkos, meaning “soft” or “soothing”
  • The flowers are small and have white, pink, or lavender petals and petals have darker pink or lavender veins
  • It is a herbaceous annual, biennial, and perennial plants
  • Grow to be a height of 80 to 150cm and with lifespan of 3 - 5 years
  • Native to Europe, Asia, North Africa, Americas, Australia and found in western Asia
  • Need atleast 4-6 hours of sunlight daily and water to thrive

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificMalva
English (Alternate)Mallow Button, Buttonweed, Cheeses, High Mallow, Tall Mallow, Abutilon, Malvaviscus
Hindiमैलो (Maelo), कंगही (Kanghi), गुड़हल (Gudhal)
Tamilதுத்தி (Thuthi), பெருந்துத்தி (Perunthuthi), காட்டுத்துத்தி (Kattuthuthi), வட்டத்திருப்பி (Vattatirippi)
Teluguతుతిరిబెండ (Tutturibenda)
Malayalamവെള്ളൂരം (Velluram), ഊരം (Uram), കാട്ടുപരത്തി (Kattuparathi)
Kannadaತುಥ್ಥಿ ಗಿಡ (Tuththi gida), ಬೆಟ್ಟ ತಾವರೆ (Betta Tavare)
Sanskritअतिबल (Atibala), कङ्कटिका (Kankatika), ऋष्यप्रोक्ता (Rishyaprokta)
Bengaliপটারি (Potari), টিপি ফল (Tipi Phal), অতিবালা (Atibala)
Frenchmauve, mauve sylvestre
Russianмальва (mal'va)
Spanishmalva, malvarrosa
GermanKäsepappel, Wegmalve

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.