Common mallow
A long-flowering source of nectar and pollen around villages and roadsides from May to September; it supports bees steadily through the summer dearth.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0.3-1.2 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Common mallow grows wild around villages and barns, along roadsides and on nitrogen-rich disturbed ground, with pink-purple flowers veined in purple. The five nectaries at the base of the flower are exposed, and honey bees reach the nectar easily. The pollen grains are large and spiny, so they stick to the bee's body; bees sometimes struggle to pack them into their pollen baskets, but they still bring in pollen regularly.
Flowering
It flowers continuously from May to September; in irrigated or moist places it continues into autumn. Although only a few flowers are open on each plant, its real value is that it offers forage over a long period.
Honey and pollen
No monofloral honey is produced; its nectar ends up in mixed summer honey.
Note for the beekeeper
Leaving it unmown around the apiary gives bees a steady small income during the summer dearth. The young leaves are eaten locally as a vegetable.