Althaea officinalis

Althaea officinalis, commonly known as White Mallow, is a perennial.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Althaea officinalis 11.1 History 11.2 Althaea officinalis in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Althaea officinalis was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The White Mallow is a species in the genus Althaea (marshmallow) which contains 12 species and belongs to the family of the Malvaceae (Mallow Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The perennials grow to a height of approximately 2 meters and have an erect habit.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Althaea officinalis is a decidious plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are palmately lobed with toothed margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are pale purple. The plants bloom in July. The flowers are arranged solitary.

The fruits are schizocarps.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Althaea officinalis is native to the whole of Europe, Turkey, Syria, Palestine, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, West Sibiria, East Sibiria, Central Asia, Algeria and Tunesia and is naturalized in North America.

[edit] Cultivation

The White Mallow prefers a sunny site and can withstand temperatures down to -40º C. It grows best in sandy or pebbly, loamy soil that is moist.

[edit] Uses

Althaea officinalis is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Althaea officinalis

[edit] History

[edit] Althaea officinalis in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Althaea officinalis in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Althaea officinalisfr:Althaea officinalis