Malva neglecta Wallr.

Family: Malvaceae


Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)

Malva rotundifolia L., misapplied

Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)

common mallow, cheeseweed

Primary Disseminule Type

fruit segment

Description (diagnostics are in brown)

Fruit a disk-shaped schizocarp 5–6 mm diameter (not including calyx), minutely hairy, back (next to calyx) relatively smooth (only weakly rugose to reticulate), typically with persistent sepals, consisting of 12–16 wedge-shaped segments (mericarps) that separate at maturity.

Mericarp tightly contains a single seed, is indehiscent, and has margins that are slightly rounded. When positioned on one of its flat sides, diameter is 1.5–2 mm and thickness varies from ca. 0.5 mm on the thinner edge to 1.2 mm on the thicker edge.

Seed rounded comma-shaped in outline, prominently notched along margin where hilum occurs, compressed (thickened along the margin opposite the hilum and usually with a rounded, concave area on each face, creating a bilobed cross-section), 1.3–1.8 mm diameter x ca. 1 mm thick. Surface reddish-brown, finely roughened.

Hilum marginal in notch, covered by a funicular remnant that partially breaks away from the seed at maturity to form a flap.

Embryo folded.

Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)

AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI