A mallow is a type of plant with soft, velvety leaves and delicate flowers, usually pink or white. Mallows grow wild in fields and gardens across much of the world. Their leaves feel almost fuzzy to the touch, and their flowers have five petals that look a bit like cups.

The most famous mallow is probably the marshmallow plant, which grows in marshes and wet areas. Long ago, people discovered they could boil the plant's roots to make a sweet, sticky substance. French confectioners turned this into a fluffy treat, which eventually became the modern marshmallow candy you roast over campfires (though today's marshmallows are made with gelatin and sugar instead of the actual plant).

Many mallows are related to each other in the mallow family, including hollyhocks, hibiscus, and even okra and cotton. Rose of Sharon, a common garden shrub with large flowers, is also a mallow. The flowers often attract bees and butterflies, and some cultures use mallow leaves in salads or cook them like spinach.