Island mallow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Island mallow |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Malva
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| Species: |
assurgentiflora
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The Island Mallow (scientific name: Malva assurgentiflora) is a beautiful flowering plant. It is also known by many other names, like mission mallow or royal mallow. In Spanish, people sometimes call it malva rosa, which means 'pink mallow'. This plant belongs to the mallow family, which includes many well-known flowers.
Contents
What Does the Island Mallow Look Like?
The Island Mallow is a large plant. It can grow as a sprawling herb or a bushy shrub. It often reaches over one meter (about 3 feet) tall. Some can even grow up to four meters (about 13 feet) high!
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Island Mallow are quite big. They can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long and wide. Each leaf is divided into 5 to 7 parts, and these parts have jagged edges like teeth.
The flowers are very eye-catching. They have five petals that are a deep pink color. You can often see darker veins running through the petals. Each petal is somewhat rectangular and measures about 2.5 to 4.5 centimeters (1 to 1.8 inches) long.
Fruit and Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a disc-shaped fruit. This fruit is divided into 6 or 8 small sections. Each of these sections holds a single seed.
Where Does the Island Mallow Grow?
The Island Mallow is a special plant because it is endemic to southern California. This means it naturally grows only in one specific place: the Channel Islands. These islands are off the coast of California.
Other Locations
Even though it's native to the Channel Islands, you might find the Island Mallow in other places. Sometimes, it escapes from gardens where it was planted. You can see it growing in certain coastal areas of mainland California and Baja California. It also grows in a few spots in Guatemala. In cooler, mountainous, or Mediterranean areas of western South America, New Zealand, and Australia, you might find it too.
How People Use the Island Mallow
People in California have grown the Island Mallow for a very long time. It is popular for two main reasons:
- Ornamental Plant: Its beautiful pink flowers make it a great plant for gardens. People grow it just to enjoy its looks.
- Windbreak: Because it grows so tall and bushy, it can be planted to block the wind. This helps protect other plants or areas from strong winds.
See also
In Spanish: Lavatera assurgentiflora para niños
