Malva moschata - Musk Mallow

There are many kinds of mallows to be found in Wales, including several garden escapes. The musk mallow has distinctive, narrowly cut leaves. The flowers, which bloom in July and August, are between 40 mm and 60 mm across, and the plant usually grows to about 60 cm in height.

This specimen was photographed in mid July on the edge of a sunny field overlooking the River Dee near Llangollen. Mallows are usually solitary plants, but on waste ground they can on occasion provide an impressive blanket cover.