Marsh mallow, White mallow
Althaea officinalis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb plant which continues to grow year after year. It grows to 1.5 m high and spreads to 1 m across. The root is thick and white and sweet tasting. The stem is thick and woolly and dies down in winter. The leaves are oval and with a short stalk. The leaves can have 3 lobes. The edges of the leaves are irregular and toothed. They are thick and velvety and 8 cm long. The flowers are red, white or purple. The fruit is a hairy nutlet.

There are about 12 Althaea species. The roots of this one are used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It prefers salty marshes and damp soils on the edges of tidal rivers. It is resistant to frost. It cannot survive drought. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. In Yunnan. In Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Austria, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Western Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

A tea is prepared from the flowers, leaves and powdered roots. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They are used in soups and vegetable dishes. The roots can be eaten raw or cooked. They are boiled, sliced and fried with onions. The water from cooking the roots can be used as an egg substitute for meringues. It was used to flavour marshmallows.

It was enjoyed by ancient Romans. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves, leaves - tea, flowers - tea, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or by division of the plant.

Its other names

Local names

Fiandrilavenombazaha, Guj-khairo, Khutmi, Malvavisco, Navadni slez, Yao kui

Synonyms

Althaea taurinensis DC.; Malva althaea E. H. L. Kraise; and several others