Cheeseweed Mallow (Malva parviflora) is in the Mallow and Hibiscus Family family (Malvaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,009 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Cheeseweed Mallow: observations by month (U.S.)
About Cheeseweed Mallow
Malva parviflora is an annual or perennial herb that is native to Northern Africa, Europe and Asia and is widely naturalised elsewhere. Common names include cheeseweed, cheeseweed mallow, Egyptian mallow, least mallow, little mallow, mallow, marshmallow, small-flowered mallow, small-flowered marshmallow and smallflower mallow. M. parviflora leaf extracts possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. It has a decumbent or erect habit, growing to 50 cm in height. The broad leaves have 5 to 7 lobes and are 8...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Cheeseweed Mallow by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,977 | April | Mar–May |
| Arizona | 23 | January | Dec–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mallow and Hibiscus Family)
Checkerbloom
Swamp Rose Mallow
Turk's cap
Apricot Globemallow
Cretan mallow
Southern Coastal Bushmallow
Common Hibiscus
Pineland Hibiscus
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Cheeseweed Mallow?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Cheeseweed Mallow most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona.