With the inclusion of the old genus Lavatera, there are around 50 species, located across the Old World, including parts of tropical Africa. Perennials, annuals or shrubs, normally white, pink or purple flowers, from coastal areas, open rocky and waste ground. Leaves often attractively lobed. Full sun. With shrubby forms regular cutting back encourages good flowering.
The flowers produce abundant nectar and pollen which is attractive to a wide range of insects including bumblebees, hoverflies and beetles, while the foliage of most is palatable to the larvae of a range of garden moths, including the eponymous mallow moth.