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Musk Mallow

Malva moschata

Found in pastures, roadsides, barnyards. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

—
Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
2–3 feet
Spread
1.5–2 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist
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At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
May to October

Recorded in 11 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

14CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Malva

  • Agrotis ipsilonIpsilon Dart, Black Cutworm, Greasy Cutworm
  • Anarta trifoliiThe Nutmeg, Clover Cutworm
  • Anomis erosaYellow Scallop Moth, Mallow Caterpillar
  • Burnsius communisCommon Checkered-Skipper
  • Chloridea virescensTobacco Budworm Moth
  • Helicoverpa zeaCorn Earworm Moth
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
  • Platynota stultanaOmnivorous Leafroller
  • Rachiplusia ouGray Looper
  • Spodoptera eridaniaSouthern Armyworm Moth
Show all 14
  • Strymon melinusGray Hairstreak
  • Trichoplusia niNi Moth, Cabbage Looper Moth
  • Vanessa carduiPainted Lady, Cosmopolite
  • Vanessa virginiensisAmerican Lady, American Painted Lady
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
5BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Malva

  • Callipepla californicaCalifornia Quail
  • Columbina passerinaCommon Ground Dove
  • Pheucticus melanocephalusBlack-headed Grosbeak
  • Zenaida asiaticaWhite-winged Dove
  • Zenaida macrouraMourning Dove
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Malvaceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–8b
Soil pH
Neutral
Flower color
Pink

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources