Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses: Egg  Tea

Common mallow is one of the most valuable edible weeds available to foragers. Its leaves make an excellent cooked green, its flowers and young fruits provide additional vegetables, and its roots contain useful starch and serve as an unusually good natural chewing gum. Although its mucilaginous texture may not appeal to everyone, its abundance, versatility, and long harvest season make it one of the finest wild vegetables in the mallow family [2-3]. The roots, young shoots, leaves, flower buds, flowers, and immature fruits are edible, either raw or cooked. Cooking is generally preferred because it softens the plant's hairs and improves the texture. Due to the high mucilage content, large quantities may have a mild laxative effect [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 5 out of 5 – One of the finest and most versatile edible mallows, providing several useful food sources over a long growing season. Taste and Preparation: Common mallow leaves have a pleasant flavor and are best cooked. After simmering, they develop a taste reminiscent of spinach, okra, and green beans. Their naturally high mucilage thickens soups and stews, while cooking softens the raspy hairs covering the leaves. The flowers are also tender and pleasant to eat. The immature fruits, often called "cheeses" because of their wheel-like shape, are edible while young and tender. As they mature, they become increasingly coarse and hard, making early harvesting important. The roots are sweet, white, starchy, and surprisingly free of harsh flavors. Although they contain very little mucilage, they are exceptionally chewy because of abundant fibers. Attempts to grind the dried roots into flour are largely unsuccessful because the fibers remain intact. Instead, the roots are best chewed to extract the starch, making them an excellent natural chewing gum with a flavor reminiscent of potatoes and parsnips [2-3]. Seasonality: Plants bloom primarily from April to October. Leaves are available throughout much of the growing season, while young fruits should be harvested shortly after they develop. Traditional Uses: Following its introduction into North America, Native Americans incorporated the leaves and immature fruits of various Malva species into their diets. Throughout history, people have also cultivated several mallows as leafy vegetables because they produce reliably and provide nutritional value [2-3]. Safety: Common mallow is considered a safe edible plant. However, its high mucilage content may have a mild laxative effect if consumed in large quantities. Older fruits become hard and are no longer suitable for eating [2-3]. Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[2, 9, 13, 74, 85]. A mild pleasant flavour[K], they are said to be highly nutritious[222]. They can be added in quantity to salads, and make an excellent lettuce substitute, they can also be cooked as greens[183, K]. The leaves are mucilaginous, when cooked in soups etc they tend to thicken it in much the same way as okra (Abelmoschatus esculenta)[222]. Some people find this mucilaginous texture unpleasant, especially if the leaves are cooked[K]. Immature seeds - raw or cooked[74, 85, 183]. A pleasant nutty flavour, they are nice as a nibble but too small for most people to want to collect in quantity[K]. A decoction of the roots is used as an egg-white substitute for making meringue[183]. The roots are brought to the boil in water and then simmered until the water becomes quite thick. This liquid can then be whisked in much the same way as egg whites[K]. A tea can be made from the dried leaves[85, 183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiinflammatory  Antiphlogistic  Astringent  Demulcent  Diuretic  Emollient  Expectorant  Laxative  
Poultice  Purgative  Salve  Urinary

All parts of the plant are antiphlogistic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative, salve[9, 222, 238]. The leaves and flowers can be eaten as part of the diet, or a tea can be made from the leaves, flowers or roots[222]. The leaves and flowers are the main part used, their demulcent properties making them valuable as a poultice for bruise, inflammations, insect bites etc, or taken internally in the treatment of respiratory system diseases or inflammation of the digestive or urinary systems[222, 238]. They have similar properties, but are considered to be inferior to the marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis), though they are stronger acting than the common mallow (M. sylvestris). They are seldom used internally[4]. The plant is an excellent laxative for young children[7].

Dye  Teeth

Adapts well to vegetable gardens, edible landscapes, and naturalized areas. Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[168]. The root is used as a toothbrush[74]. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects, while the dense foliage offers shelter for small invertebrates.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator