Althaea
(from altheo, to cure; in reference to the medicinal qualities of some of the species). Marsh Mallow. ORD. Malvaceae. Hardy biennials or perennials, closely allied to Malva. Outer calyx six to nine-cleft, inner one five-cleft. Most species belonging to this genus are worthy of cultivation, particularly in woods, coppices, and shrubberies; they will thrive in almost any kind of soil. They may be either increased by dividing the plants at the roots, or by seeds; the biennial species must be raised from seed every year, which may be sown in spring where they are intended to remain, or in pans placed in a cold frame, from which the young plants may be removed when large enough.
A. cannabina (Hemp-leaved).* fl. rose-coloured; peduncles axillary, many-flowered, loose, longer than the leaves. June. l. pubescent, lower ones palmately-parted, upper ones three-parted; lobes narrow, and grossly toothed. h. 5ft. to 6ft. South France, 1597. Perennial.
A. caribaea (Caribean).* fl. rose coloured, with a yellow base, solitary, almost sessile. March. l. cordate, roundish, lobed, crenate-serrated. Stem straight, hispid. h. 3ft. Caribbee Islands, 1816. Biennial.
A. ficifolia (fig-leaved). Antwerp Hollyhock. fl. generally yellow or orange coloured, in terminal spikes, large, single or double. June. l. divided beyond the middle into seven lobes; lobes oblong, obtuse, irregularly toothed. h. 6ft. Siberia, 1597. Biennial.
A. flexuosa (zigzag).* fl. scarlet, axillary, solitary, stalked; petals obcordate. June. l. cordate, somewhat seven-lobed, obtuse, on long footstalks. h. 2ft. to 3ft. North India, 1803. Perennial.
A. frutex (shrubby). Synonymous with Hibiscus syriacus. A. narbonensis (Narbonne).* fl. pale red; peduncles many-flowered, loose, longer than the leaves. August. l. pubescent, lower ones five or seven-lobed, upper ones three-lobed. h. 3ft. to 6ft. France, 1780. Perennial.
A. officinalis (officinal). Common Marsh Mallow. fl. of a delicate, uniform blush colour; peduncles axillary, many-flowered, much shorter than the leaves. July. l. clothed with soft, white tomentum on both surfaces, cordate or ovate, toothed, undivided, or somewhat five-lobed. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Marshes, Britain. Perennial.
A. rosea (rose).* Hollyhock. fl. rose-coloured, large, axillary, sessile, somewhat spiked at the top. July. l. cordate, with five or seven angles, crenated, rough. Stem straight, hairy. h. 8ft. China, 1573. For special culture and varieties, see Hollyhock.
A. striata (streaked). fl. white, 2 1/2in. in diameter, solitary, on short pedicels; calyx striped. July. l. cordate, bluntly three-lobed, crenated. Stem puberulous, and somewhat scabrous. h. 5ft. Biennial.