MUSK MALLOW : Malva moschata
Not to be confused with Cranesbill. index.asp?pageid=732585
Also called abelmosk, ambrette, muskdana or musk okra.
Musk mallow has pretty pink flowers that can be seen along roadside verges, hedgerows and field margins in summer. It lives up to its name, producing a delicate, musky smell that increases indoors. [ Wildlife Trusts].
This is an annual or biennial plant of the mallow family (Malvaceae), native to Europe and much of Asia. India. In India, musk mallow is cultivated for its seeds, which are used in perfumes as a replacement for musk, and is a source of an essential oil that is used in traditional medicine and to flavour foods. The plant also yields a fibre used locally for clarifying sugar, and the young leaves and fruits are eaten as vegetables. [Britannica].
A little misshapen after a heavy summer rain, but still beautiful.
A white bloom in amongst the usual pinky mauve ones.
BRITANNICA : https://www.britannica.com/plant/musk-mallow
WILDLIFE TRUSTS : https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/musk-mallow
