Lavatera arborea L.

Family: MALVACEAE

Genus: Lavatera

Catalan common name: Malva. Malvera. Vauma. Vaumera.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Holoartica

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Rocky coastlines. Rocky coastlines and cliff faces. Disturbed zones.

Characteristics: This is the largest Malvaceae that lives in the islands, and can reach up to three meters in height, with a woody base. Can be recognized from the other Malvaceaes by its dimensions and above all because its calycine is clearly much longer than the calyx. Lavatera arborea can be found living littoral areas, especially islets, as well as the interior where it inhabits degraded areas and torrential rockwork.