mallows

Mallow \Mal"low\, Mallows \Mal"lows\, n. [OE. malwe, AS. mealwe,
   fr. L. malva, akin to Gr. mala`chh; cf. mala`ssein to soften,
   malako`s soft. Named either from its softening or relaxing
   properties, or from its soft downy leaves. Cf. {Mauve},
   {Malachite}.] (Bot.)
   A genus of plants ({Malva}) having mucilaginous qualities.
   See {Malvaceous}.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The flowers of the common mallow ({Malva sylvestris})
         are used in medicine. The dwarf mallow ({Malva
         rotundifolia}) is a common weed, and its flattened,
         dick-shaped fruits are called cheeses by children. Tree
         mallow ({Malva Mauritiana} and {Lavatera arborea}),
         musk mallow ({Malva moschata}), rose mallow or
         hollyhock, and curled mallow ({Malva crispa}), are less
         commonly seen.
         [1913 Webster]

   {Indian mallow}. See {Abutilon}.

   {Jew's mallow}, a plant ({Corchorus olitorius}) used as a pot
      herb by the Jews of Egypt and Syria.

   {Marsh mallow}. See under {Marsh}.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Mallows
occurs only in Job 30:4 (R.V., "saltwort"). The word so rendered
(malluah, from melah, "salt") most probably denotes the Atriplex
halimus of Linnaeus, a species of sea purslane found on the
shores of the Dead Sea, as also of the Mediterranean, and in
salt marshes. It is a tall shrubby orach, growing to the height
sometimes of 10 feet. Its buds and leaves, with those of other
saline plants, are eaten by the poor in Palestine.