ALTHAEAL. - MARSH-MALLOW
Scientific Description:
Annual or perennial herbs. Epicalyx segments 6−9, connate at the base. Petals up to 16 mm. Anthers brownish purple. Carpels numerous, in 1 series around the style, each unilocular, 1-ovulate. Fruit a schizocarp, splitting into numerous 1-seeded, indehiscent mericarps.
Reference:
Cullen J (1967). Althaea L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2: 419.
Public Description:
Althaea, known as “marsh-mallow”, contains evergreen annual or perennial herbaceous plants naturally grown in Europe and West Asia. The stems grow to 1–2 m tall, and flower in mid summer. They are found on river banks and in salt marshes, preferring moist, sandy soils. There are approximaltely 17 species in the world and 4 species (4 taxa) in Türkiye. The roots and stems of this plant secrete mucilage, this substance is used to soften the skin, and is also used in cosmetic treatments. Their roots have been used for cleaning Persian carpets in the Middle East. It is regarded as the best washing method to preserve the vibrancy of vegetable dyes used in coloring the carpet's wool.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Althaea_(plant), Accessed date: 27.02.2016.
Anonymous 2 (2016). http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Malvaceae/Althaea/, Accessed date: 27.02.2016.
Uzunhisarcıklı E M (2012). Althaeae L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 619.
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