early spring. The seed is easy to collect, and they will often spread themselves by seed. Some Malva species are invasive weeds, particularly in the Americas where they are not native. History This plant is one of the earliest cited in recorded literature. The third century BC physician Diphilus of Siphnus wrote that "[mallow] juice lubricates the windpipe, nourishes, and is easily digested." Horace mentions it in reference to his own diet, which he describes as very simple: "Me pascunt olivae, / me cichorea levesque malvae" ("As for me, olives, endives, and mallows provide sustenance"). Lord Monboddo describes his translation of an ancient epigram that demonstrates Malva was planted upon the graves of the ancients, stemming from the belief that the dead could feed on such perfect plants. Species The following species are accepted: Malva acerifolia (Cav.) Alef. Malva × adulterina Wallr. Malva aegyptia L. Malva aethiopica C.J.S.Davis Malva agrigentina (Tineo) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso Malva alcea L. – greater musk-mallow, vervain mallow Malva arborea (L.) Webb & Berthel. Malva × arbosii Sennen Malva assurgentiflora (Kellogg) M.F.Ray – island mallow, mission mallow, royal mallow, island tree mallow Malva bucharica Iljin Malva cachemiriana (Cambess.) Alef. Malva cavanillesiana Raizada Malva × clementii (Cheek) Stace Malva × columbretensis (Juan & M.B.Crespo) Juan & M.B.Crespo Malva cretica Cav. Malva durieui Spach Malva × egarensis Cadevall Malva flava (Desf.) Alef. Malva hispanica L. Malva × inodora Ponert Malva × intermedia Boreau Malva leonardii I.Riedl Malva lindsayi (Moran) M.F.Ray Malva × litoralis Dethard. ex Rchb. Malva longiflora (Boiss. & Reut.) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso Malva ludwigii (L.) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso Malva lusitanica (L.) Valdés Malva maroccana (Batt. & Trab.) Verloove & Lambinon Malva microphylla (Baker f.) Molero & J.M.Monts. Malva moschata L. – musk-mallow Malva multiflora (Cav.) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso Malva neglecta Wallr. – dwarf mallow, buttonweed, cheeseplant, cheeseweed, common mallow, roundleaf mallow Malva nicaeensis All. – French mallow, bull mallow Malva oblongifolia (Boiss.) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso Malva occidentalis (S.Watson) M.F.Ray Malva olbia (L.) Alef. Malva oxyloba Boiss. Malva pacifica M.F.Ray Malva pamiroalaica Iljin Malva parviflora L. – least mallow, cheeseweed, cheeseweed mallow, small-whorl mallow Malva phoenicea (Vent.) Alef. Malva preissiana Miq. – Australian hollyhock Malva punctata (All.) Alef. Malva pusilla Sm. – small mallow Malva qaiseri Abedin Malva setigera K.F.Schimp. & Spenn. Malva stenopetala (Coss. & Durieu ex Batt.) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso Malva stipulacea Cav. Malva subovata (DC.) Molero & J.M.Monts.