Althaea hirsutaL. Rough Mars Mallow

Althaea hirsutaL. - Rough Mars Mallow

Scientific Description:

Annual. Whole plant hispid with simple setae. Lower leaves ± cordate-orbicular, weakly 3-fid, crenate; upper leaves deeply 3−5-lobed, the segments lobed or pinnatifid. Flowers borne singly in the leaf axils. Petals blue to pale lilac to white, 12−16 mm. Mericarps glabrous, rugose.

 

Flowering time: June−August.

Habitat: Marshy ground, banks, etc., s.l.−1250 m.

 

Reference:

Cullen J (1967). Althaea hirsuta L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2: 420.

Public Description:

Althaea hirsuta, known as “rough marsh mallow”, is distributed in Europe, Southwest Asia and Northwest Africa. It is an annual plant with a fairly pubescent structure and with blue, pale lilac or white flowers. It blooms between June and August, and is found in marshy ground and banks. The roots and stems of Althea L. (marsh-mallow) species 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 (2016). http://www.tubives.com/index.php?sayfa=1&tax_id=2147/, 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.