Tidal Marsh/ Seashore Mallow

COMMON NAME: Seashore Mallow

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Marsh Mallow

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Kosteletzkya virginica

FAMILY: Malvaceae

COMMUNITY: Tidal Marsh

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 2 to 3.5 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Early August to Mid-September

FRUITING TIME: Late August to October

DISTRIBUTION: Long Island to Florida, west to Louisiana ~ Common in Cape May county, decreasing northward throughout coastal strip in NJ ~ Delaware Bay shore ~ Salt and brackish marshes

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Large pink blooms, 1 to 2 inches across ~ Stems and leaves rough to the touch ~ Lower leaves are lobed resembling maple leaves, triangular to ovate in shape ~ Hibiscus-like flower ~ Fruit round, glabrous (smooth, no hairs) capsule breaking into 5 segments

GENERAL INFORMATION: The malvaceae family commonly called the mallow family consists of 116 genera and 1,150 species of herbs, shrubs and small trees.  Gossypium, the source of cotton, is the most important economical member of the family.  Okra is the young fruit of another member of this family Hibiscus esculentus. Mallow comes from the Greek word malache meaning “soft”. The name was given either because of the soft downy leaves of most members of this family or because of the soothing, gelatinous properties of the roots, used in early medical practice as cough syrups and for “internal irritations”. Seashore Mallow should not be confused with the true Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis).  During colonial times a candy was made from the roots of  Althaea, hense the marshmallow of today. The seeds of Seashore Mallow are sometimes eaten by birds.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.