Herb: Checkerbloom


Latin name: Sidalcea malviflora


Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)



Edible parts of Checkerbloom:

Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves have a very mild flavour and a slightly mucilaginous texture, they make a very acceptable salad. The leaves can be cooked as greens. The dried mashed leaves have been used as a flavouring with black manzanita berries (Arctostaphyllos spp).

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
80 cm
(2 feet)

Habitat of the herb:

Grassy slopes and open forest glades.

Propagation of Checkerbloom:

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in the spring.

Cultivation of the herb:

Grassy slopes and open forest glades.

Medicinal use of Checkerbloom:

None known

Known hazards of Sidalcea malviflora:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.