MARSH MALLOW

Mallow (Malva parviflora) is an annual, biennial or perennial weed that can grow up to 1.5 m tall and has a single taproot. It produces small pink, mauve or white flowers throughout late autumn to late spring. Mallow is an indicator of very low calcium and soil organic matter, high potassium, iron, aluminum, and very high magnesium. It is also an indicator of waterlogged, compacted soil with poor drainage. Mallow competes with other plants for water and nutrients, reducing wheat grain yields by up to 30%. Plant toxins in mallow may cause ‘staggers’ (falling over with tremors) in stock that graze significant quantities.

Dispersal: Mallow reproduces by seed, producing up to 5,000 seeds per plant. Seeds are usually dispersed by water or soil. Field observations indicate that sheep are important in dispersal.

Mallow is a deep-rooted perennial that competes strongly with pastoral species, especially on alkaline soils. It is thought to impact especially on irrigated annual pastures, and restricts growth and replaces biomass in these areas, as it can form large, dense colonies (California Department of Food and Agriculture 2007). However the current area of infestation in Australia is small, probably has only a minor impact on crop yield, and is not thought to affect land value (Agriculture Victoria 2021; Parsons 1973; Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). However, overseas experience suggests that it could compete strongly with irrigated pastures if introduced to this system (Government of South Australia 2021). Although usually avoided by grazing livestock, Alkali Sida can be toxic in large quantities to sheep due to formation of hairball blockages in the intestines

In New South Wales it occurs in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. In NSW it is only classed as doubtfully naturalised 
In South Australia it is naturalised on the Yorke Peninsula, the upper north, and the Murray River basin
In Victoria it is naturalised in the north-west around Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang areas.

Spray FireHawk Bioherbicide Concentrate: 50 mL/L of water. Respray if required