--- { "id": "common-mallow", "name": "Common mallow", "scientific": "Malva neglecta", "category": "invasive", "status": "Common weed; not an A/B/C listing in the reviewed state rule", "status_sources": [ "CO-rules-2025" ], "warning": "Tough taproot and persistent lawn seedbank", "warning_tone": "caution", "aliases": [ "cheeseweed", "buttonweed" ], "taxonomy_note": "Common names overlap with other Malva species. The reviewed account supports weed biology, not a declaration that all pet or livestock exposures are harmless.", "source_ids": [ "CO-rules-2025", "N-malva-neglecta", "C-descriptions", "S27" ], "description": "Common mallow: Tough taproot and persistent lawn seedbank. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.", "claim_evidence": [ { "label": "Recognize", "sources": [ "N-malva-neglecta", "C-descriptions" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "common-mallow-1" }, { "label": "Plants & habitat", "sources": [ "C-descriptions", "N-malva-neglecta" ], "scope": "Species-specific", "note": "", "id": "common-mallow-2" }, { "label": "People", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "common-mallow-3" }, { "label": "Dogs & cats", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "common-mallow-4" }, { "label": "Other animals", "sources": [], "scope": "Review limitation", "note": "", "id": "common-mallow-5" } ], "research": { "status": "researching", "label": "Still researching this plant", "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.", "open_questions": [ { "area": "People", "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.", "related_claim_ids": [ "common-mallow-3" ] }, { "area": "Dogs & cats", "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.", "related_claim_ids": [ "common-mallow-4" ] }, { "area": "Other animals", "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.", "related_claim_ids": [ "common-mallow-5" ] }, { "area": "Identification", "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.", "related_claim_ids": [] }, { "area": "Expert review", "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.", "related_claim_ids": [] } ], "expert_review": "pending" }, "source": "content/plants/common-mallow.md" } --- # Common mallow *Malva neglecta* **Common weed; not an A/B/C listing in the reviewed state rule.** [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2) > **Tough taproot and persistent lawn seedbank.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/). **Identification caveat:** Common names overlap with other Malva species. The reviewed account supports weed biology, not a declaration that all pet or livestock exposures are harmless. ## Still researching this plant {#research-status} This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.** ## Three views of this plant Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence. ![Malva neglecta: A small pale flower beneath rounded, shallowly lobed leaves with toothed edges.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/additional-problem-photos-malva-neglecta-1.jpg) **flowers and leaves** — A small pale flower beneath rounded, shallowly lobed leaves with toothed edges. Photo: NY State IPM Program at Cornell University from New York, USA; [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malva_neglecta_-_leaf,_inflorescence_(19059303085).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Malva_neglecta_-_leaf%2C_inflorescence_%2819059303085%29.jpg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Other mallows can have similar leaves and flowers. Identification follows the exact scientific source label; no close-relative placeholder was used. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop. ![Malva neglecta: A dense spreading patch of rounded, shallowly lobed leaves.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/additional-problem-photos-malva-neglecta-2.jpg) **habit** — A dense spreading patch of rounded, shallowly lobed leaves. Photo: NY State IPM Program at Cornell University from New York, USA; [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malva_neglecta_-_whole_plant_(18438619353).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Malva_neglecta_-_whole_plant_%2818438619353%29.jpg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Other mallows can have similar leaves and flowers. Identification follows the exact scientific source label; no close-relative placeholder was used. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop. ![Malva neglecta: A pale pink flower with five notched petals and a central column, among rounded leaves.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/additional-problem-photos-malva-neglecta-3.jpg) **flower detail** — A pale pink flower with five notched petals and a central column, among rounded leaves. Photo: Daniel Ballmer; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malva_neglecta_Bl%C3%BCte.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Malva_neglecta_Bl%C3%BCte.jpg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Other mallows can have similar leaves and flowers. Identification follows the exact scientific source label; no close-relative placeholder was used. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop. ## Recognize Low spreading stems, rounded shallowly lobed leaves and small pale flowers with notched petals; fruits resemble little cheese wheels. [N-malva-neglecta](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/malva-neglecta/) [C-descriptions](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-descriptions/) ## Plants & habitat Common in disturbed Colorado gardens and thin lawns. Taproots become difficult to remove, and durable seeds support recurring patches. [C-descriptions](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-descriptions/) [N-malva-neglecta](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/malva-neglecta/) ## People The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for people. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Dogs & cats The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Other animals The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for livestock. Missing evidence does not establish safety. ## Before taking action Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/) ## References - **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025. - **N-malva-neglecta** — [malva neglecta — Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/malva-neglecta/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:21:11+00:00. Locator: Species identity, description, ecology, toxicity. - **C-descriptions** — [Weed descriptions](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-descriptions/), Colorado State University Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:24:02+00:00. Locator: Species entries. - **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories. [Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=common-mallow) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care. # Appendix for agents ## Open research questions - **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section. - **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports. - **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species. - **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat. - **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary. ## Identity and evidence boundaries Common names overlap with other Malva species. The reviewed account supports weed biology, not a declaration that all pet or livestock exposures are harmless. All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. | Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation | |---|---|---|---|---| | common-mallow-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-malva-neglecta, C-descriptions | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | common-mallow-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | C-descriptions, N-malva-neglecta | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | common-mallow-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | common-mallow-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | | common-mallow-5 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. | ## Further work for an agent - Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment. - Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county. - Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json). --- Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/common-mallow/ Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/common-mallow/index.md Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/common-mallow/index.md.txt Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json