Mallow
Mallow , noun
[Old English malwe, Anglo-Saxon mealwe, from Latin malva, akin to Greek mala`chh; compare mala`ssein to soften, malako`s soft. Named either from its softening or relaxing properties, or from its soft downy leaves. Compare Mauve, Malachite.]
(Botany) A genus of plants (Malva) having mucilaginous qualities. See Malvaceous.
The flowers of the common mallow (Malva sylvestris) are used in medicine. The dwarf mallow (Malva rotundifolia) is a common weed, and its flattened, dick-shaped fruits are called cheeses by children. Tree mallow (Malva Mauritiana and Lavatera arborea), musk mallow (Malva moschata), rose mallow or hollyhock, and curled mallow (Malva crispa), are less commonly seen.
Collocations (3)
Indian mallow , See Abutilon.
Jew's mallow , a plant (Corchorus olitorius) used as a pot herb by the Jews of Egypt and Syria.
Marsh mallow , See under Marsh.
Also: Mallows