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.
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.