Citation: All., Fl. Ped. 2:40 (1785).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Mallow of Nice.

Description:
Erect to prostrate annual or perennial herb, with main branches to c. 50 cm long, sparsely hispid; leaves orbicular, 1-7 cm or more long, cordate, with 5-7 obtuse lobes, crenate-dentate, on long slender petioles.

Epicalyx segments ovate to broad-ovate, 0.8-3 times longer than broad, attached nearly halfway up the calyx; calyx 3.5-5 mm long, covered by 1- or 2-armed erect hairs, each arm 0.2-1.5 usually 0.4-1.2 mm long, rarely mixed with spreading stellate hairs, the calyx lobes triangular, acuminate; corolla light-purple, 4-12 mm long.

Schizocarp 5-7 mm diam., rugose-muricate, often covered by the lobes of the enlarged scarious calyx, the mericarps 8-10 rarely 7, closely appressed to each other in the mature fruit, with angles on the dorsal surface sharp but not winged, entire.

	Malva nicaeensis twig, ovary, styles and enlarged style, fruit and mericarp.
Image source: fig 439a in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Distribution:  Waste places and other disturbed sites. S.Aust.: FR, NL, SL, KI, SE.   N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   native to southern Europe. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Oct. — Feb., May.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available