Malope trifida aka Mallow Wort

Malope trifida, also known as mallow-wort, annual malope, maloppi, or purple Spanish mallow, is a species native to the Western Mediterranean Region. This hardy annual plant can grow up to 1m tall and has stout stems and lobed, hairy leaves. From summer to autumn, it produces attractive, pure white flowers with silky petals that are highly appealing to pollinating insects. The plant is hairless, except for the edges of stipules, bracts, and sepals. The leaves are born on long petioles and can range in size from up to 3" to smaller sizes. The lower leaves are suborbicular, while the upper leaves have 3-5 broad triangular lobes. The flowers are solitary and borne on long pedicels in the leaf axils. The epicalyx segments are orbicular-cordate, increasing in size when in fruit. The sepals are broadly lanceolate to ovate, and the petals vary in size. Malope is classified in the tribe Malveae and sub-tribe Malvinae, along with Kitaibelia, Alcea, and Althaea. It can be distinguished from Kitaibelia by the presence of three epicalyx segments, while Kitaibelia has 6-9 segments. The plant's globose schizocarp in fruit, single-seeded mericarps, and glabrous and rugulose characteristics further differentiate it from other European mallows. Malope trifida is commonly used as an ornamental plant.