Malva preissiana

Common name: 

Australian Hollyhock

Family: 

Malvaceae

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

Murray Mallee, Lowan Mallee, Wimmera, Wannon, Riverina, Victorian Volcanic Plain, Otway Plain, Gippsland Plain, Wilsons Promontory, East Gippsland (ABCDEFGJKMNPTVWZ) all States

Map - Australia's Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Heavy soils prone to inundation and along the coast1

Flower description:

Pink, lilac or white and sometimes with darker veins1

Habit:

Erect perennial short-lived shrub to 2 m1

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):

Malva preissiana is distinguished from M. weinmanniana by its crowded leaves and leaf surfaces that are densely hairy on both surfaces2

Images:
Image of Malva preissiana
Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia

Links to description of this species:

PlantNet

Conservation status:

Not threatened

Other comments:
The information given on this species is from the Flora of Victoria volume 3 entry for Lavatera plebeia. Since publication of this volume, Lavatera plebeia has been split into Malva weinmanniana and M. preissiana. The information given here therfore applies to both species.
References:

1 Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria
2 Conran, J. G., Barker, R. M. and Rippey, E. (2012). “Malva weinmanniana (Besser ex Rchb.) Conran, a new name for the pink-flowered form of M. preissiana”. Journal of Adelaide Botanic Garden 25, pages 17--25.