Common mallow

I took rent-a-dog out to the river this afternoon.  I had intended to do some work but found when I was reassembling the clock that it would need some extra repairs that could only be done at the workshop tomorrow.  So I had to dismantle it again.  Still it gave me the opportunity to get out and enjoy the improving weather.

The leaves, stems and immature seeds of common mallow can be eaten raw or cooked, and are quite high in vitamins and minerals. Common mallow is attractive as a food source to bees, flies and caterpillars. When growing in nitrogen-rich soil, however, nitrates can accumulate in the plant’s tissues, making it toxic to some animals. Native people have used common mallow for various medicinal reasons, including as an astringent, an anti-inflammatory agent, and an emetic. Yet common mallow can also serve as a host for insect pests and viruses that cause diseases in crops. If present in large numbers, the plant can decrease crop yields, or interfere with harvesting machinery.