Flower profile

Three-lobe false mallow

Malvastrum coromandelianum

Three-lobe false mallow (Malvastrum coromandelianum) is a low shrub in the Malvaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–October across the U.S.

Not native to Texas

Three-lobe false mallow is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In Texas it's most often seen in bloom in April–October.

8states where USDA records it

6,540TX sightings*

7,253U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Texas

Quick look

Malvastrum coromandelianum, also known as threelobe false mallow, is an annual or perennial herb or shrub native to North and South America. It has been introduced to many other areas of the world including Australia, Africa, and southern and eastern Asia.
From Wikipedia's article Malvastrum coromandelianum, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Malvaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a annual, perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 8 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as not native to Texas. ^NatureServe
In Texas, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–October. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 6,540 research-grade sightings of it in Texas, ranking #102 among the 169 flowers on our Texas list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Texas, most flowering sightings come in April–October.

Flowering records by month in Texas (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (474 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. ^NatureServe
Texas: Not listed Not on Texas endangered and threatened plants (31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.8), as listed by Texas Parks and Wildlife. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Texas. ^{31 TAC 69.8}
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records three-lobe false mallow in 8 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas.

Texas counties with USDA records: Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Brazoria, Brewster, Calhoun, Cameron, Comal, Denton, Edwards, Goliad, Gonzales, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kleberg, Lavaca, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Travis, Val Verde, Victoria, Webb, Willacy.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Hawaii: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced; Navassa Island: Native; Pacific Basin (excluding Hawaii): Introduced; Puerto Rico: Introduced; U.S. Virgin Islands: Introduced.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Malva coromandeliana.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 59 counties across 7 states; the most are in Texas (31), Louisiana (13), Florida (7).

More from the Malvaceae family (29 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Turk's cap, Common hibiscus, Swamp rose mallow, Velvetleaf, Dwarf mallow, Apricot globemallow, Checkerbloom, Scarlet globemallow.

More Texas flowers

Turk's cap

Malvaviscus arboreus

Native

🌼 Blooms in TX: April–October

Tropical hibiscus

Hibiscus × rosa-sinensis

🌷 Flowering shrub

🌷 Grown in Texas gardens

Pinkladies

Oenothera speciosa

Native

🌼 Blooms in TX: March–May

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile MACO6.
iNaturalist, Malvastrum coromandelianum: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Malvastrum coromandelianum (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Texas: Texas endangered and threatened plants (31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.8), as listed by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Texas: Texas noxious and invasive plant list (4 Tex. Admin. Code § 19.300(a)).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Malvastrum coromandelianum (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
Photo: Wendy McCrady via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.