Kingdom Plantae Family Malvaceae Higher classification Mallows | Order Malvales Scientific name Lavatera Rank Genus | |
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Lower classifications Lavatera trimestris, Lavatera thuringiaca, Malva arborea, Lavatera cretica, Lavatera assurgentiflora | ||
Pruning lavatera
Lavatera is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants in the family Malvaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, central and eastern Asia, North America (California and Mexico) and Australia. A number of species are naturalized in North America.
Contents
Many Lavatera species have now been transferred to the related genus Malva. Lavatera species are known as tree mallows, or rather ambiguously as rose mallows, royal mallows or annual mallows.
The genus includes annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous plants and soft-wooded shrubs, growing from 1–3 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, and palmately lobed. The flowers are conspicuous, 4–12 cm diameter, with five white, pink or red petals; they are produced in terminal clusters.
Lavatera species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bucculatrix lavaterella, which feeds exclusively on these plants. Flowers and seeds of several species are also used as food by humans.
Lavatera x clementii rosea tree mallow
Name etymology
This genus is named after the Lavater brothers, 17th century Swiss physicians and naturalists.
