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Musk Mallow

©Northeast Wildlife

Musk mallow

Musk mallow has pretty pink flowers that can be seen along roadside verges, hedgerows and field margins in summer. It lives up to its name, producing a delicate, musky smell that increases indoors.

Scientific name

Malva moschata

When to see

July to August

Species information

Category

Statistics

Height: up to 1m

Conservation status

Common.

About

An elegant relative of common mallow, musk mallow has delicate pale pink flowers that appear in July and August. It grows on roadside verges and field edges, and in hedgerows, pastures and churchyards. It favours dry places and is a popular cottage garden plant.

How to identify

The saucer-shaped flowers of musk mallow have a musky smell, hence the common name. They have five petals, which are pale pink with fine, dark pink veins. The stems and deeply lobed leaves are hairy.

Distribution

Mainly found in England and Wales, but can be seen in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Did you know?

If you live in a dry, sunny corner of the country, try planting musk mallow alongside marjoram, field scabious, cornflower and greater knapweed, and enjoy the buzz and hum of insects visiting your miniature wildflower meadow.

How people can help

Although they might not look especially wildlife-friendly, our roadside verges, railway cuttings and waste grounds can provide valuable habitats for all kinds of plants and animals. The Wildlife Trusts are involved in many projects to make these places as beneficial for wildlife as possible. We have a vision of a Living Landscape: a network of habitats stretching across town and country that allow wildlife to move about freely and people to enjoy the benefits of nature. Support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust.