Weed Roundleaved mallow also known as common mallow, cheeses, dwarf mallow, running mallow, malice, and round dock
Scientific Name Malva neglecta
Family Mallow family (Malvaceae)
Life Cycle Summer annual or biennial
Reproduction Method reproduces by seed
Appearance Emerging from a short, straight taproot, roundleaved mallow develops stems up to 12 inches long. The pubescent stems are horizontal or upright and may be branching at base. The stems do not root as they touch the ground.
Leaves The simple, alternate leaves of roundleaved mallow are round to heart-shaped usually with 5 to 9 shallow lobes or rounded teeth. They are up to 2 1/2 inch across and pubescent on both surfaces. The petioles are also pubescent and up to 4 inches long.
Flowers Flowers of roundleaved mallow are solitary or borne in clusters of two to four in leaf axils. The flowers have five white petals and are often tinged pale lilac and grow up to 1/2 inch long. The fruit is a flattened disk with 10 to 20 small, pubescent segments with one seed per segment. Flowering occurs May though September.
Occurrence Roundleaved mallow occurs in wet, humid regions in stressed or thinned turf.
Non Chemical Control To control roundleaved mallow without herbicides, maintain density and health in established turf. Small populations can be hoed or hand pulled.
Chemical Control
Application Period Apply postemergence broadleaf herbicides from mid spring through early summer during periods of active growth.
Active Ingredient in Labeled Products

Preemergent

Postemergent

  • isoxaben
  • 2,4-D
  • 2,4-DP
  • chlorsulfuron*
  • clopyralid
  • dicamba
  • MCPA
  • MCPP
  • triclopyr
*not on tall fescue or ryegrass turf
Notes

(Click on Image to Enlarge and Sharpen Photograph)

Mallow cotyledon

Mallow 2nd leaf

Mallow in turf

Mallow in flower

Mallow seed pod

Mallow taproot

Confused?? Look-a-Likes Mallow is often confused with ground ivy and common violets. Click here for clarification.