What's this?

[chickenchargrill]

Obviously something thinks this is a tasty plant. It looks really familiar, but I can't rack my brain. Anyone know before I go cut it down?

[Odsox]

It looks like Mallow to me, in which case it is edible ... leaves for greens and the roots for marshmallow.

[chickenchargrill]

Just looked it up and looks right to me :) Will leave it to grow some more first, just went out to have a closer look at it and there isn't one leaf that hasn't got holes in from insects.

Did find some nice looking recipes for stuffed mallow leaves though.

Thanks

[troutrunner]

Google images came up with this, looks the same as grows wild here



Tasty some say but never tried it

[Millymollymandy]

Or Lavatera - not sure if there is actually a difference between the two or it's two different names for the same plant.

Don't dig it up (unless it is really in the wrong place) - they have the most stunning pink flowers and are really beautiful. I have it growing wild in my garden and in summer my chicken run is really pretty, full of these flowers which attract insects. Because they are in the chicken run they get a good beating - trodden on by me, scratched around by chooks - but they are really robust. Best dug out of veg patch though as I suspect it has a pretty serious tap root as it withstands any drought.