Malva neglecta

Native to the Canary Islands, Morocco, and much of Europe and western to central Asia, this low-growing herb now has a worldwide distribution and is naturalized in the Americas. Its stems spread along the ground or rise slightly, sometimes extending about 3 feet. Pale lilac to whitish flowers have notched petals and appear in small clusters at the leaf joints. It grows in disturbed ground, vacant lots, and farmyards, and may be annual, biennial, or perennial. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers. Its thick-coated seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years, making established populations difficult to control. It is a weed of gardens and agricultural land in California. Photographed in Colombia.