Malva neglecta

American Indian Names

There were no Native American Names that were found. This plant has Indian anmes look under purple mallow in the Gilmore book.

 

Description Common Mallow or Cheeseweed can grow up to 3ft. long. The leaves are 1 to 5 cm long and 2 to 7 cm wide; they are green and range from heart to kidney shape.  The flowers range from the color white to the color lilac. The flowers have 5 petals and are 8 to 20 mm wide. They grow between the months of April all the way to October.

Habitat

You can find Mallow all across Nebraska in waste places, gardens, lawns, and roadsides. But it is not a native plant to the United States but is from Europe. Mallow can be found on the Omaha Reservation just southeast of the Gilpin building.

Uses Mallow is used in many different ways. It could be used in salad and can be eaten raw. They could also be cooked and eaten like spinach or be added in a soup.  It is a good source of vitamin A and C. Although it has a bland taste it is also used in teas. Native Americans also used the plant to help sores and swelling.  The fruit on the plant is used to chew on to make your mouth moist when water is scarce.

                                                                                             By  Kailee Caile Parker

This Page was last update: Friday, December 14, 2007 at 9:37:59 AM
This page was originally posted: 11/30/07; 10:58:53 AM.
Copyright 2008 Plants of the Omaha Indian Reservation

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