Common Mallow

Malva sylvestris

Common & widespread in Britain.

The flowers are reddish-purple with dark stripes and occur in axillary clusters of 2 to 4 along the main stem with the flowers at the base opening first.

There are 5 petals, each being up to 2 cm (3⁄4 in) long, and 5 sepals, 3–6 mm long, which are fused in the lower half, and have broadly triangular lobes.

There is also an epicalyx (or false calyx) with oblong segments, two-thirds as long as calyx lobes (2–3 mm long x 1.5 mm wide).

Flowers from June-October.