Malva moschata L.

Erect perennial herb. Stems moderately hairy with only simple hairs. Lvs sparsely to moderately hairy with simple hairs and rarely a few stellate hairs below, ± glabrous above; lower lvs reniform, shallowly 3–5-palmately lobed and crenate, 5–8 cm diam.; upper stem lvs deeply divided ± to base with usually 5, 2-pinnatifid lobes; ultimate segments ± linear; petiole 1–20 cm long; stipules linear to lanceolate, 5–8 mm long. Fls solitary in lower axils and racemose at apex; fruiting pedicels (8)–10–50 mm long; epicalyx segments linear or narrow-ovate, < calyx; calyx teeth ovate, acute to acuminate, moderately hairy with simple and stellate hairs, enlarged at fruiting; petals usually pink, sometimes white, 2–4× as long as calyx, (15)–20–30 mm long. Mericarps c. 15–20 per fr., densely hairy, smooth on back; edges rounded.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Mar.