Plants of
South Australia
Malvastrum americanum var. americanum
Malvaceae
Spiked Malvastrum,
Malvastrum
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Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically endangered
Extinct
Data deficient
Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
Mount Gambier
Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
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Botanical art

Kath Alcock paintings: 3

Prior names

Malva spicata

Malva brachystachya

Malva americana

Malvastrum spicatum

Common names

Spiked Malvastrum

Malvastrum

Etymology

Malastrum from the genus Malva and the Latin 'aster' meaning like, but implying incomplete likeness or inferior. Americanum means of or from the Americas; referring to the species natural distribution in the warmer parts of the Americas.

Distribution and status

Found in the northern part of South Australia, growing around waterholes, bores, swamps and clay pans, floodouts, riparian vegetation and in disturbed areas. Also found in Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. Introduced. Common in South Australia. Common in the other states.
Herbarium regions: North Western, Lake Eyre, Nullarbor, Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Erect, annual or short-lived perennial herb to 50 cm tall covered in stellate hairs. Leaves alternate ovate to broadly ovate, to 7 cm long and 6 cm wide. Inflorescence a dense terminal spike to 4.5 cm long with yellow to orange flowers. Flowering throughout the year. Fruits are brown depressed-globular capsule on a long spike, each with 9 seed segments. Seed embryo type is folded.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between January and December. Collect capsules that are drying off and starting to turn brown and seeds inside should be brown and hard. Collect either individual mature capsule or break-off the whole spike. Place the capsules into a tray and leave to dry for a week. Then rub the capsules by hand or with a rubber bung to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. This species has physical dormancy that needs to be overcome for the seed to germinate (e.g. nicking or softening the seed coat).

We acknowledge the contributions of the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre, the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, and the Department for Environment and Water.