Althaea officinalis L.
Common Marsh-mallow
Marsh-mallow is a tall, handsome native perennial of the mallow family, growing on stout stems to around 1–2m. The whole plant is softly velvety, with grey-green, lobed leaves covered in dense down that gives them a felted feel.
About
Marsh-mallow is a tall, handsome native perennial of the mallow family, growing on stout stems to around 1–2m. The whole plant is softly velvety, with grey-green, lobed leaves covered in dense down that gives them a felted feel. In late summer it bears clusters of pale pink, five-petalled flowers with a powder-pink to lilac centre, blooming through August and September.
It is a coastal plant, favouring damp, brackish ground such as the upper edges of saltmarshes, sea walls, ditches and grazing marshes, mainly in southern and south-eastern England, on moist soils in full sun. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other insects. Famous historically as the original source of the sweet 'marshmallow', made from its mucilage-rich root, it is a striking choice for the back of a sunny, moisture-retentive border or for coastal and marshland plantings.
Also known as
Common Marshmallow · European marsh-mallow · Marsh-mallow · Marshmallow · White-mallow
Synonyms
Althaea balearica · Althaea kragujevacensis · Althaea multiflora · Althaea officinalis indica · Althaea officinalis laciniata · Althaea officinalis obtusifolia · Althaea officinalis obtusiuscula · Althaea officinalis pallida · Althaea officinalis rotundifolia
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.