The Mallow Family
What are they?
Members of this family are mostly characterized by their relatively large and showy, five-petalled flowers. The family includes small annual species as well as woody shrubs and even a few climbers.
Where are they found?
Native species are typically found in wetland areas but introduced species may also be found as arable weeds or in other disturbed and urban areas.
Identification
Generally readily identifable by a combination of leaf and flower details.
Swamp Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
(Crimson-eyed Rose Mallow) A widespread and often common in coastal wetlands and brackish saltmarsh edge. Flowers July to September. Flowers can be pink or white and either with or without a red center. These forms were once considered separate species but they only differ in flower color.
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Common Hibiscus Hibiscus syriacus
(Rose-of-Sharon) Occurs as a rare to occasional escape from cultivation, growing as a spindly shrub on roadsides and in hedges. Flowers July to September. Cultivated plants can have flowers that are white, lilac-blue or pink and may or may not have a red center.
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Bladder Ketmia Hibiscus trionum
(Flower-of-an-hour) Introduced from Europe. Probably once more common as a weed of farm fields but now an occasional low-growing annual of waste and disturbed ground. Flowers July to October.
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Seashore Mallow Kosteletzkya pentacarpos
Widespread in small numbers in coastal wetlands (especially if slightly salty) and saltmarsh edge. Flowers August to September.
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Velvetleaf Abutilon theophrasti
Introduced from Asia and an occasional weed of waste and disturbed places. Can grow to six feet or more. Flowers July to October.
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A tropical and sub-tropical species, now of uncertain origin. Occasionally found as a weed of cultivation. Flowers July to October.
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(High Mallow) Introduced from Europe and widely naturalized in North America, but scarce in Cape May County, where it is most likely to be found as a stray from cultivation. Flowers June to August, sometimes later. The true species of this plant is deep pink with slightly darker veins, but a number of garden forms have been developed which have much darker centers to the flowers and even more prominent veins. It is unfortunate that the wrong English name is used in many flower books in the US as it only serves to complicate identification.
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Dwarf Mallow Malva neglecta
(Common Mallow in some books, or Cheeses) Introduced from Europe and more frequent further north in New Jersey as a weed of cultivation and old lawns. Recently found at several sites south of Cape May canal. Flowers May to September. A low-growing, prostrate species which can tolerate a certain amount of mowing. Flowers very pale pink, often with darker veins.
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Annual Mallow Lavatera trimestris
Introduced from Europe. A small, annual species that appears occasionally as a short-lived adventive from so-called 'wildflower' mixes. Flowers May to September. Flowers may be white or various shades of pink.
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