mellows

Mellows is a nonstandard plural term used to refer to plants commonly called mallows, members of the plant family Malvaceae. In formal botanical usage, mallows encompass several genera, including Malva, Alcea, Hibiscus, and Lavatera; the plural mellows is not a formal taxonomic grouping and its use is regional or historical.

Mallows are typically herbaceous plants or shrubs characterized by alternate, palmately lobed leaves and tall stems. Flowers usually have five petals and are arranged in cymes or racemes. A distinctive feature of many mallows is the stamen column, where numerous anthers are fused around the style.

Mallows are native to temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with many species in Europe, western Asia, and Africa. They grow in a variety of habitats, from hedgerows and fields to gardens; several species tolerate poor soils and drought.

Uses: Several mallows have edible leaves and flowers, notably Malva sylvestris, which have a soft, mucilaginous texture when crushed. Traditional uses include soothing preparations for throat irritation and minor digestive upset. Ornamental species such as hollyhocks (Alcea) and hibiscus varieties are cultivated for their showy flowers.

Taxonomy and nomenclature: The family Malvaceae contains many cultivated and wild mallows. The term mellows is rarely used in formal contexts; mallows is the preferred, widely recognized term.