Malva parviflora, commonly known as cheeseweed or small-flowered mallow, is an annual or biennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean region, including Northern Africa, Europe, and Asia, and has become naturalized in many parts of the world. It typically grows up to 31 inches tall and features broad, lobed leaves and small white to pale pink flowers that bloom from spring to fall. The plant is often found in disturbed sites, agricultural land, and urban areas, where it can form dense stands.

Cheeseweed is valued for its rapid growth and adaptability to various soil types, but it is often considered a weed due to its invasive nature in some regions. It is used in some traditional medicine systems and as a foraged edible plant, with leaves that can be eaten raw or cooked. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil conditions, from dry to moist, but it thrives in well-drained soils. It is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance. However, it can become problematic if not managed, as it self-seeds prolifically and can outcompete native vegetation.CC BY-SA 4.0