Malvastrum coromandelianum
three-lobe false mallow
Overview
Malvastrum coromandelianum is an erect, short-lived perennial or subshrub in the mallow family, growing 1-4 ft (30-120 cm) tall on tough, branching stems clothed in star-shaped hairs. The oval to lance-shaped leaves are 1-3 in (2.5-7.5 cm) long with toothed margins and rough, hairy surfaces. Through much of the year, and almost year-round in warm climates, it bears small five-petaled yellow to orange-yellow flowers about 0.5-0.75 in (12-18 mm) wide, opening singly in the upper leaf axils. Each flower opens for part of a day and is followed by a ring of flattened segments that break apart into spiny, single-seeded sections. It grows on roadsides, pastures, waste ground, field edges, and other open disturbed sites on a wide range of soils. The plant is widely naturalized in warm regions and is treated as a weed of crops and grazing land in many areas. Its tough, wiry frame and small flowers suit rough ground more than cultivated beds, though it draws bees and shelters bare soil.
Native Range
Malvastrum coromandelianum is considered native to tropical America and is now naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics worldwide, including the southern United States. It grows on disturbed, open ground.Suggested Uses
Used in informal pollinator and habitat plantings on rough, sunny ground, spaced 12-18 in (30-45 cm) apart. Grown as a low-input nectar source in warm-climate restoration and erosion settings. Suited to disturbed, dry sites rather than tidy borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 4'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow to orange-yellowFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight