Malva L.
Genus with about 30 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants, sometimes woody at the base, erect or prostrate; or small shrubs; distributed through Europe, Asia and Africa. Many species are naturalised in America, Australia and New Zealand. In North Africa it is represented by at least 3 woody species that traditionally used to be ascribed to the genus Lavatera.
Key to species
1 Stems slightly woody at the base. Epicalyx parts very large, longer than calyx Malva arborea
1 Stems clearly woody. Epicalyx parts the same length or shorter than calyx 2
2 Flowers about 2 cm in diameter, arranged in long raceme or,solitary if larger than 3 cm. Epicalyx parts the same length or slightly shorter than calyx Malva stenopetala
2 Flowers 3-6 cm in diameter, solitary or in pairs. Epicalyx parts the same length or slightly longer than half of the calix Malva subovata
Iamonico, D. 2014. Lavatera stenopetala subsp. plazzae comb. et stat. nov. (Malvaceae), endemic taxon from north-western Sardinia (Italy). Plant ecology 147 (2): 293-298.
Ray, M.F. 1995. Systematics of Lavatera and Malva (Malvaceae, Malveae) – a new perspective- Pl. Syst. Evol. 198: 29-53.
Key to species
1 Stems slightly woody at the base. Epicalyx parts very large, longer than calyx Malva arborea
1 Stems clearly woody. Epicalyx parts the same length or shorter than calyx 2
2 Flowers about 2 cm in diameter, arranged in long raceme or,solitary if larger than 3 cm. Epicalyx parts the same length or slightly shorter than calyx Malva stenopetala
2 Flowers 3-6 cm in diameter, solitary or in pairs. Epicalyx parts the same length or slightly longer than half of the calix Malva subovata
Updated by: A.F. Carrillo.