Musk Mallow

Musk Mallow
Musk Mallow. Malva moschata.
Malvaceae, the mallow family.

Plant: Slender upright or sometimes prostrate stems bear medium-large, pink, five-petaled flowers in small groups near stem ends and sometimes in leaf axils. Stems sparsely hairy. Perennial.
Flowers: Pink, with five notched wedge-shaped petals, 1.5" wide. Many stamens united to form a column around the style. Musky scent.
Leaves: Alternate, variable, usually deeply palmately cut and lobed, 1"-3" wide, but sometimes only slightly lobed and toothed. Overall shape generally round.
Fruit: A five-sided, flattened papery container.
Blooming: July-September
Habitat: Fields, disturbed areas.

Comments: A European import widely naturalized in eastern North America, one of two similar species, the other being M. alcea the European mallow, distinguished by having the stem hairs in starlike bunches rather than diffusely scattered. The young, mucilaginous leaves of mallows can be cooked as a potherb.

Where to find it: I have found this plant only in a couple of locations on the south side of the pond.