Seasonal phenotypes

[Zeedman]

Just an odd observation I've noticed over the years, in how some plants can change greatly, depending upon the season & day length. This has been most notable in the "Zebrina" mallow (Malva sylvestris) which I've allowed to naturalize in my vegetable gardens. The seeds will sprout all season long, and the late Summer / Fall plants are MUCH different that the Spring / early Summer plants.

"Zebrina", Summer phenotype. Small leaves, and flowering is early & heavy.

"Zebrina", Fall phenotype. The leaves are exceptionally large, and the plants will bloom much later in their growth cycle. These plants will survive several frosts, and be the last pollen sources for bees. With the exceptionally late hard freeze this year, these plants have become huge! Supposedly all mallows are edible, I'm tempted to try some of these as pot herbs.

 

[ducks4you]

I gotta try growing these again. I grew them in partial shade, thinking that maybe next time it will be full sun.
Looks like purple malva suppresses weeds. Has that been Your experience?

 

[Zeedman]

I gotta try growing these again. I grew them in partial shade, thinking that maybe next time it will be full sun.
Looks like purple malva suppresses weeds. Has that been Your experience?

Well, it's Fall, so almost full sun now. No tree leaves (and I had already cut down most of the trees shading the garden anyway).

The Fall phenotype certainly could suppress Fall/Winter weeds in mild climates. Here, they don't normally get as robust as they are this year... we are nearly 6 weeks beyond our average killing freeze. In the center of the photo below, there are 12 pepper plants engulfed by the mallow. They protected the peppers from 2 light frosts.

And still in bloom

This is such a beneficial plant. It provides a steady pollen source for bees, especially in the warm-up which usually follows the first frost, when most flowers are gone. It acts as a trap crop for Japanese beetles (hence all the plants permitted along the fence line). It also sends roots DEEP into the subsoil, to bring up nutrients, and punches deep holes through the hardpan. My garden would not drain as well without it. And adds a welcome splash of color if allowed to grow in places left vacant. Once allowed to seed, it will return every year... and as 'weeds' go, it is not hard to kill where it is not wanted.

 

[ducks4you]

And I just thought that the best reason to grow them was for DD, who loves purple!!
Who Knew what a cool plant this is!