Scientific Name: Kosteletzkya virginica

Common Name: Salt marsh mallow

Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)

Stems:

• One to several from the base, each branched in the upper portion, to 2 m tall

• All parts star-like pubescent

Leaves:

• Alternate, ovate to triangular or lanceolate, or variously lobed

• Base may be deeply notched, squarish or rounded, margins with irregular teeth

Fruit: Fruit is a 5-angled capsule about 12 mm wide, covered with stiff bristles, containing up to 5, smooth, dark brown seeds

Flowers:

• Flowers stalked, with 5 white or pink petals, 10-30 mm long, 7-10 narrow bracts below the sepals

• Sepals are united, with 5 lobes; produced solitary in leaf axils

Flowering Time: Mid-summer through early fall

Habitat: Found in salt, brackish or freshwater marshes, edges of swamps, lakes and ponds.

Wetland Indicator: Facultative Wetland

Origin: Native to U.S.

Other Information: Herbaceous perennials

Coastal Preserves Wildflowers Photo Gallery