The mallow flower is the mauve-pink bloom of Malva sylvestris (common or high mallow), a plant of the hibiscus family whose flowers, leaves and young seed pods have been eaten and steeped around the Mediterranean and Middle East for thousands of years. The five heart-notched petals are mild and faintly sweet, and — like the whole plant — carry a soft, slippery mucilage that thickens soups, soothes the throat and turns a hot infusion silky.