Small-flowered mallow Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 4,823 found this helpful

All parts of the plant are toxic, with seeds having the highest concentration of harmful cyclopropene fatty acids

Ingestion causes severe myopathy, cardiac dysfunction, and potentially fatal outcomes in horses, cattle, sheep, and dromedaries

Prognosis is poor for severely affected animals, requiring immediate decontamination and symptomatic veterinary care

FAQ

Is Small-flowered mallow toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxicity cases in humans reported in available clinical data (Non-toxic)

Is Small-flowered mallow toxic to Cats?

No confirmed feline toxicity cases reported to date (Non-toxic)

Is Small-flowered mallow toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed canine toxicity cases reported to date (Non-toxic)

Is Small-flowered mallow toxic to Horses?

Sweating, hypovolemia, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, tachypnea, stiff gait, muscle tremors, fasciculations, collapse, recumbency (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity cases in humans reported in available clinical data

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed feline toxicity cases reported to date

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed canine toxicity cases reported to date

Horses

Moderate

Sweating, hypovolemia, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, tachypnea, stiff gait, muscle tremors, fasciculations, collapse, recumbency

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsWhole plant, especially the seeds

Exposure RouteIngestion is the only confirmed toxic exposure route; no skin contact or inhalation toxicity has been reported

Toxic CompoundsMalvalic acid; Sterculic acid; Dihydrosterculic acid

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately remove the animal from areas with the plant to stop further ingestion
• If ingestion occurred within the last 60 minutes, contact a vet for guidance on inducing vomiting
• Do not administer medications or food unless explicitly directed by a veterinary professional

Contact Vet Immediately

• Proven or suspected ingestion of the plant by horses, cattle, sheep, or dromedaries
• Presence of symptoms including muscle tremors, stiff movement, weakness, or abnormal breathing
• Observed collapse, irregular heart rate, or paralysis in any exposed animal

Prevention

• Regularly clear pastures, hay, and feed supplies of small-flowered mallow, particularly its seed heads
• Avoid grazing livestock in areas with heavy infestations of this plant, especially when other forage is scarce
• Train animal caretakers to identify the plant to prevent accidental inclusion in feed supplies

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform decontamination including gastric emptying and activated charcoal administration as clinically indicated
• Provide symptomatic supportive care: fluid therapy for hypovolemia, anti-arrhythmic drugs for cardiac dysfunction, and care for recumbent animals
• Immediately switch to uncontaminated feed to eliminate ongoing toxin exposure
• Monitor cardiac function and muscle enzyme levels for at least 72 hours post-exposure

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameMalva parviflora L.

AliasesCheese weed、Cheeseweed mallow、Egyptian mallow、Least mallow、Little mallow、Malva microcarpa Desf.、Malva rotundifolia Auct.、Kleinblütige Malve、Mauve à petites fleurs、Mauve parviflore、Malva a fiori piccoli、Malva minore

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

Skeletal muscleCardiac muscleCirculatory systemMusculoskeletal system

Mechanism of Action

• Cyclopropene fatty acid compounds disrupt normal lipid metabolism, leading to degenerative damage of skeletal muscle tissue (myopathy)

• Toxins also impair cardiac muscle function, causing arrhythmias, reduced cardiac output, and circulatory collapse in severe cases

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Sheep: Ingestion causes myopathy, stiff gait, muscle tremors, muscle fasciculations, and inability to stand (recumbency)

Cattle: Causes muscle tremors, generalized weakness, and prolonged recumbency; severe cases can be fatal per published clinical studies

Dromedary camels: Exposure leads to limb paralysis and peripheral edema of the limbs, with high risk of permanent disability or death without prompt treatment

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Marsh mallow Althaea officinalis

Similar rounded lobed leaf shape and pale flower color; Marsh mallow has larger 2-4cm wide flowers and high mucilage content, with no toxic cyclopropene fatty acids present

Common mallow Malva sylvestris

Similar low-growing habit and leaf structure; Common mallow has larger purple-veined pink flowers up to 5cm wide, and is generally considered non-toxic to most species

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Related Toxic Plants

Upland cotton

Gossypium hirsutum

Moderately toxic; contains gossypol which causes liver damage and reproductive failure in grazing animals and monogastrics

Velvetleaf

Abutilon theophrasti

Low to moderately toxic; ingestion causes digestive irritation, muscle weakness, and reduced feed intake in livestock

Heartleaf fanpetals

Sida cordifolia

Moderately toxic; contains ephedrine alkaloids that cause tachycardia, hypertension, and neurological dysfunction in exposed animals

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.