Lavatera assurgentiflora

Malva assurgentiflora Island Mallow (Lavatera assurgentiflora)
File:Lavatera assurgentiflora 2005-06-09.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Genus:	Lavatera
Species:	L. assurgentiflora
Binomial name
Lavatera assurgentiflora Kellogg

Lavatera assurgentiflora – now classified as Malva assurgentiflora, the Island Mallow, Mission Mallow, Royal Mallow, Island Tree Mallow, Malva Rosa is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family.

It is endemic to California, where it is native only to the Channel Islands. It can also be found growing as an escapee from cultivation in coastal mainland California.

Description

Malva assurgentiflora is a sprawling perennial herb or bushy shrub generally exceeding a meter tall and approaching four meters in maximum height. The leaves are up to 15 centimeters long and wide and are divided into 5 to 7 toothed lobes.

The showy flowers have five dark-veined deep pink petals which are somewhat rectangular in shape and 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters long. The disc-shaped fruit is divided into 6 or 8 segments each containing a seed.

Uses

Malva assurgentiflora is grown as an ornamental plant in traditional, native plant, water conserving, and wildlife gardens, and in natural landscaping projects. It can be planted as a large hedge and/or windbreak.

External links

• Jepson Flora project: Malva assurgentiflora
• USDA Plants Profile - Lavatera assurgentiflora (island mallow)
• Lavatera assurgentiflora — U.C. Photo gallery