Malvastrum coromandelianum aka Broomweed
Taxonomy ID: 14382
Malvastrum coromandelianum, commonly known as threelobe false mallow or little jack, is an erect annual or perennial shrub in the mallow family (Malvaceae). Native to the Americas — with its centre of origin in tropical America and Mexico — it has spread extensively across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Australia, Africa, and southern and eastern Asia.
The plant grows as a shrubby herb with woody stems, reaching up to 1 metre in height. It is a well-documented weed of cultivated ground, pastures, roadsides, and waste places across its introduced range. Its tolerance for disturbed habitats has contributed to its global spread.
Flowers are typical of the mallow family: small, yellow-orange, five-petalled. The leaves are three-lobed, which gives the plant its common English name. The species reproduces readily in open, disturbed soils.
In traditional medicine across its range, the plant has several documented uses. A decoction of the aerial parts is used as a remedy for dysentery, and leaf decoctions serve as washes for sores and wounds. The leaves have also been applied to carbuncles. The plant is described as having diaphoretic, emollient, mucilaginous, and refreshant properties. Scientific studies have found that aqueous extracts demonstrate anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity comparable to aspirin, and that plant extracts show inhibitory activity against both antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-sensitive strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Beyond medicinal uses, the woody stems are sometimes collected for making brooms.
No edible uses are known for this species. It is not considered a houseplant or a tree.
Common names
Broomweed, Three Lobe False Mallow, Three Point False Mallow, Prickly MallowMore information about Broomweed
Where is Broomweed native to?
Malvastrum coromandelianum is native to tropical America, with its core range extending through Mexico and Central and South America. It has been widely introduced outside its native range and is now established across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern and eastern Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, where it commonly grows as a weed.
How big does Broomweed grow?
Threelobe false mallow is an erect shrub or herb reaching up to 1 metre (approximately 3 feet) in height, with woody stems. It typically grows in disturbed open ground and is considered a vigorous coloniser of cultivated land, pastures, and waste places.
What varieties or synonyms does Broomweed have?
Malvastrum coromandelianum has several botanical synonyms reflecting its complex nomenclatural history, including Malva coromandeliana L., Malvastrum tricuspidatum A. Gray, and Malvastrum lindheimerianum (Scheele) Walp. In Queensland, Australia, the plant is treated as Malvastrum coromandelium subsp. coromandelium.
Is Broomweed edible?
No edible uses are known for Malvastrum coromandelianum. No parts of the plant have been documented as food sources.
What are the medicinal uses of Broomweed?
Malvastrum coromandelianum has a documented history of traditional medicinal use. Decoctions of the plant are used as a remedy for dysentery, and leaf decoctions are applied as washes to clean sores and wounds. The leaves have also been used to treat carbuncles. The plant is described as diaphoretic, emollient, mucilaginous, and refreshant. Scientific research has shown that aqueous extracts of aerial parts have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects comparable to aspirin, and that extracts inhibit both antibiotic-resistant and sensitive strains of Staphylococcus aureus.
What other uses does Broomweed have?
The woody stems of Malvastrum coromandelianum are sometimes harvested for use in making brooms. No other significant non-medicinal uses have been documented.
What are the water needs for Broomweed
What is the sunlight requirement for Broomweed
Is Broomweed toxic to humans/pets?
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