MALOPE trifida Annual Mallow ____________________________________ Type: Annual Height: 3' (1m) Flowering Time: Summer Flower Colour: Pink ____________________________________ Botanical Classification: Class: Angiospermae (Angiosperms) Subclass: Dicotyledonae (Dicotyledons) Superorder: Dilleniidae (Dillenia Superorder) Order: Malvales (Mallow Order) Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family) Genus: Malope (Mallow) Species: trifida (with three parts) ____________________________________

Malope trifida is an annual growing to about 3', sometimes bushy, sometimes with almost unbranched stems, and lobed leaves. The flowers are the usual mallow shape, but there are some features which make it easier to identify this species. The petals do not join at the base, showing a green star of calyx at the centre of the flowers, and there are three sepals under the flower, later enclosing the seedpod.

There are several named forms, and I think the photograph is 'Vulcan'. The deep magenta lined petals are thin, but satiny, with substance.

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Harvesting and Growing from Seed:

	Seed Pod The seeds are inside the folded pointed calyx.
	Seed The seeds are pointed, grooved woody drops with a notch. There are many seeds in a seedpod.
	Seedling The seedleaves are heart-shaped. The first true leaves are crinkled.
Seed sowing and Germination Spring: Seeds sown inside or outside in spring germinated in 4-6 days.