low mallow, Malva pusilla

Low mallow is a smaller version of common mallow. Anyone who looks twice had their yard knows these plants. They pop up everywhere, kind of like the rest of us Eurasians. Low mallow is sometimes considered invasive, but it's almost too unassuming to be much of a pest. And on the other hand, it is genuinely useful. The greens and seeds are edible, They also have mucilaginous properties that can east the passage of other foods, and help relieve coughs. So can you get some from the net, like so many other herbals that might not work? Ironically, no. Apparently because mallow needs to be fresh to do a good job. Low mallow can now be found in CA, IA, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WY, AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC, and SK. Ingham Co MI, 7/26/12.