Malva moschata (musk mallow, "Jakoaoi")

Japanese name: ジャコウアオイ （麝香葵）
Scientific name: Malva moschata

[Overview]
A perennial 30–60 cm tall.
The stems and leaves are covered with coarse hairs.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves are round and shallowly lobed.
The stem leaves are simple and alternate, round, 2–8 cm in both length and width, and deeply divided into 5 lobes.
The lobes are further deeply divided once or twice, and the margins have blunt teeth.
They have long petioles.
The flowers are borne in the leaf axils in the upper part of the stem and are 5-petaled, about 5 cm across, white to pale pink.
The flowers have a musk scent.
The fruit is a schizocarp.

[History]
It was introduced to Japan during the Meiji period as an ornamental.

[Uses]
The flowers, leaves and roots are used medicinally, and the flowers and leaves are also used in salads.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It is not particular about soil as long as the site is sunny and well drained.
If the environment suits it, it grows well even when left alone.
For potted plants, water thoroughly after the soil has dried; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
If fertilizer is applied at planting, no further fertilizing is particularly necessary.
Pests and diseases include aphids, leafrollers and snout moths.

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