Malva alcea common in drier soils in thickets, along paths and in waste places. Natural hybrids with the closely related "Malva moschata" are occasionally found. In central Europe it grows at altitudes of up to 2,000 m. It has been widely grown outside of its native range as an ornamental plant. Several cultivars exist such as 'Fastigata', an upright form, and 'Alba', a white flowered form. In some areas, such as the northeastern United States, the plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalised. It is very similar to, and often confused with "Malva moschata". Malva alcea Malva alcea (greater musk-mallow, cut-leaved
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary President George H. W. Bush authorized Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary as the 10th National Marine Sanctuary on January 17, 1992. Stetson Bank was added to the sanctuary in 1996. The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary administrative offices and laboratories are located in a renovated historic building, a part of the former Fort Crockett, in Galveston, Texas. Research Vessel MANTA is also located in Galveston, and provides a working platform for researchers. A system of mooring buoys, which reduces resource impacts from anchoring, is maintained by FGBNMS staff. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary The Flower Garden Banks