Malva preissiana

Common Name:

Australian Hollyhock

Family:

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 - Australasian Virtual Herbarium

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

Heavy soils prone to inundation and along the coast ¹

Flower Description:

Pink, lilac or white and sometimes with darker veins ¹

Habit:

Erect perennial short-lived shrub to 2 m ¹

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 surfaces ²

Images:

Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia MELU

Links to description of this species:

NSW Flora VicFlora

Conservation status:

Not threatened

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.