Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Synonyms
Family
Medicine - Musk Mallow is used as an antidote for snakebites. An emulsion from the seeds is considered to be anti-spasmodic and is used externally. Extensively used as an insecticide and a aphrodisiac. Cosmetics/Essential oils - The oil of the seeds, with a strong musk odor, are also used in the perfume industry and is used to flavor coffee.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan
Wet tropical biome.
Perennial herb erect 0.5-3m tall.
Stem is simple and retrorse hairy, bristly to prickly.
Leaves are 6–30 cm long and broad, alternate, leaf blade palmately divided 5–9 lobed, lobes heart-shaped, margin serrate.
Flower yellow, solitary, 10-15 cm across; sepal 5, entire, toothed; petals 7-9 cm long, 2-5.5 cm broad, fringed with hairs at base.
Capsule, 5–8 cm long, densely hairy, pointed; containing numerous round, black seeds.
Flowering: June- october