Lavatera arborea

Tree Mallow

Malvaceae Edible: Leaves

gbif· cc-by-nc-nd

Margriet Bekking

gbif· cc-by-nc

Gert Govaerts

gbif· cc-by-nc-nd

Ariane Mathy

Description

Lavatera arborea is a BIENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but the leaves are dry and hairy and not that agreeable in quantity on their own. They can be used as part of a chopped mixed salad.

Medicinal Uses

PoulticeA poultice made from the leaves is used to treat sprains.

Distribution

Coastal regions of Europe, including Britain, from Franceto the Mediterranean and N. Africa.

Where It Grows

EUROPE: United Kingdom, Ireland, Albania, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Montenegro, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria (north), Tunisia

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade. Prefers a light well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun. A soil that is too rich encourages foliar growth at the expense of flowering. Tolerates maritime exposure. Plants are very fast-growing and often flower in their first year from seed. They flower so freely in their second year that they normally die afterwards, though they sometimes perennate. When well sited, this species usually self-sows freely. There are some named forms developed for their ornamental value.