This Perennial keeps coming back along my fence line and is so pretty! I cut back the blooms and saved the seeds to see if I can place it elsewhere in my yard. Is it a wildflower or something else? Best Regards!~
Yep, it looks a lot like Himalayan hollyhock, which is native here. This one is indeed in the mallow family and has edible leaves when small. I'm not sure ours is perennial; I think it's a freely self-seeding annual, but I'm not really sure. It is Lavatera kashmiriana. I doubt yours is the same species, but looks similar.
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Works at a residential alternative high school in the Himalayas SECMOL.org . "Back home" is Cape Cod, E Coast USA.
The hollyhock can be perennial in mild climates. Many of mine survive for a second season. It also seeds very prolifically in any disturbed ground. The small green donut of immature seeds is considered edible but I don't consider it worth the trouble. The blossoms hoever are delightful in sallades for color and antioxidants. The seed is so endemic in my soil that it comes up in flats that I am starting other things and I wind up with plants to sell through our co-op. It can develop a long tap root and used to be planted around out houses and would thrive because it could reach the the contents of the pit below.
I agree with the others that it is in the Malva genus, but I think it may be Malva sylvestris or high mallow. You can see a photo and read the description here ... Missouri Botanical Garden, Plant Finder
Thank you everyone for your kind responses! Very helpful posts. I have to agree with the tree mallow thought. I live in the Skagit Valley area of Washington State. The picture was taken mid-summer. Generally a mild winter here; though wet and it has self seeded for two seasons now. I think it is such a pretty plant and will definitely be propagating this plant elsewhere on my property. The bees seem to love it too.
like ALL of the mallow, the entire plant is edible. the young leaves and tender parts are tastier, but even the roots, such as in it's cousin Marsh Mallow, are used as a food source. the Malva genus, and related Hibiscus, and Hollyhock families, are all ENTIRELY edible plants, including the flowers.
Here in Wisconsin,, Mine come up every year.. From seeds dropped in the fall .. Agree they are a great flower and free.. Mine DO however seem to get that wilder appearance,, as in smaller plants and less flowering every year..
Thanks sodi
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