Family: Malvaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. pl. 2:686. 1753
Year: 1930
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Althaea
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to C. Siberia and W. Pakistan, NW. Africa
Description
The Marshmallow, scientifically known as Althaea officinalis, is a perennial herb renowned for its medicinal and ornamental value. It can be found naturally across a wide geographical range, extending from Europe to Central Siberia and Western Pakistan, as well as in the northwestern regions of Africa.
Belonging to the Malvaceae family, the Marshmallow plant has a historical pedigree traced back to classical botanical literature, most notably referenced in 1753. The renowned botanist, Carl Linnaeus, made significant contributions to the documentation and classification of the species.
The plant thrives in marshy areas, often located near bodies of water such as rivers and lakes, favoring moist, well-drained soils. Its physical characteristics include soft, velvety leaves and a tall, upright stem which supports clusters of pale pink to white flowers. These blooms are not only visually appealing but also serve as attractants for a variety of pollinators, encompassing bees and butterflies.
Historically, Althaea officinalis has been revered for its therapeutic properties. Traditional medicine practices have utilized the root extract for its soothing effects, particularly in treating coughs and sore throats. This is attributed to the mucilage content found in the root, which provides a protective layer to irritated mucous membranes.
In addition to its medicinal applications, young leaves and flowers of the Marshmallow plant are sometimes used in culinary practices, adding a delicate texture and mild flavor to salads and other dishes.
Cultivation of the Marshmallow plant involves ensuring adequate moisture and sunlight, with a preference for full sun to partial shade conditions. Established plants are relatively hardy, though they benefit from occasional watering during dry spells to maintain soil moisture levels.
In summary, Althaea officinalis stands out not only for its charming aesthetics but also for its significant historical and contemporary uses. Its enduring presence across diverse regions underscores its adaptability and enduring appeal in both horticulture and traditional medicinal practices.
Common Names
Eng: common marsh-mallow, common marshmallow, marsh-mallow, marshmallow, white-mallow, marsh mallow
Deu: echter eibisch, eibisch, gebraeuchlicher eibisch, gebräuchlicher eibisch
Dan: lægestokrose
Fra: guimauve officinale, guimauve sauvage, guimauve
Nld: heemst
Nob: legestokkrose
Swe: läkemalva, rohtosalkoruusu
Nno: lækjestokkrose, legestokkrose
Spa: malvavisco
Fin: rohtosalkoruusu
Cym: dail yr hocys, hocos, hocys, hocys y dwfr, hocys y gors, hocys y morfa, hocysen y morfa, malu bendigaid, malu’r hel, meddalai y gors, meddalai y morfa, môr hocys y glyf
En: Marshmallow, White-mallow, Common marshmallow, Marsh Mallow, Common Marsh-Mallow, Marsh-mallow, White Mallow
Ab: Адоуҟәыд
Ar: ختمية طبية
Hy: Տուղտ դեղատու
Az: Dərman bəlğəmotu
Ba: Алтей үләне
Eu: Malba zuri
Be: Алтэя лекавая
Bs: Bijeli sljez
Bg: Лечебна ружа
Ca: Malví, Altea
Zh: Yao kui, 药蜀葵
Cv: Сиплĕ шăпăр курăкĕ
Kw: Malow keunek
Hr: Bijeli sljez
Cs: Proskurník lékařský
Da: Lægestokrose
Nl: Echte heemst, Heemst
Eo: Oficina alteo
Et: Harilik altee
Fi: Rohtosalkoruusu
Fr: Guimauve officinale, Guimauve sauvage, Guimauve, Mauve blanche
De: Eibisch, Arznei-Eibisch, Echter Eibisch, Gebräuchlicher Eibisch, Gebraeuchlicher Eibisch, Altheewurzel, Heilwurzel, Schleimwurzel, Stockmalve
He: נטופית רפואית
Hu: Fehérmályva, Orvosi ziliz
Ga: Leamhach
It: Altea comune, Benefischi, Bismalva, Buonvischio, Malvavischio, L’Altea comune
Kk: Aptekalıq jalbıztiken, Аптекалық жалбызтікен, اپتەكالىق جالبىزتىكەن
Ko: 마시멜로
Lt: Vaistinė svilarožė
Mk: Бел слез
Ml: അൽതീ ഒഫിഷിനാലിസ്
Nb: Legestokkrose
Nn: Lækjestokkrose, Legestokkrose
Os: Галсыф
Fa: پنیرک پفنبات
Pl: Ślaz lekarski, Prawoślaz lekarski
Ro: Nalbă mare
Ru: Altej lekarstvennyj, Алтей лекарственный
Sr: Бели слез
Sk: Ibiš lekársky
Es: Malvavisco, Bismalva, Navadni slez, Altea
Sv: Läkemalva, Rohtosalkoruusu
Tg: Гули хайрӣ
Tt: Шифалы мәче борчагы
Th: มาร์ชแมลโลว์
Tr: Ebegümecigiller
Uk: Алтея лікарська
Cy: Hocysen y morfa, Dail yr Hocys, Hocos, Hocys, Hocys y Dwfr, Hocys y Gors, Hocys y Morfa, Malu Bendigaid, Malu’r Hel, Meddalai y Gors, Meddalai y Morfa, Môr Hocys y Glyf
Synonyms
- Althaea kragujevacensis (Pančić)
- Malva officinalis ((L.) K.F.Schimp. & Spenn.)
- Althaea officinalis var. obtusiuscula (H.C.Hall ex Lej.)
- Althaea officinalis var. vulgaris (Alef.)
- Althaea pulchra (Klotzsch)
- Althaea officinalis var. obtusifolia (Vayr.)
- Althaea multiflora (Rchb. ex Regel)
- Althaea officinalis var. pallida (Regel & Herder)
- Malva althaea (E.H.L.Krause)
- Althaea officinalis var. rotundifolia (Gray)
- Althaea balearica (J.J.Rodr.)
- Althaea sublobata (Stokes)
- Althaea officinalis var. thirkeana (Alef.)
- Malva maritima (Salisb.)
- Althaea officinalis subsp. indica (Baker f.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Baltic States (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- Ireland (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- North Dakota (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Switzerland (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Feb 2, 2020 by Dan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2021 by 🐞Hélène🐦 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Jean-Marie Frenoux (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Bénard Tremblay Milo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 2, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean François ARNOULD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 17, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean François ARNOULD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean François ARNOULD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 14, 2020 by Jordi Gual (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 30, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Jean-Marie Frenoux (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean François ARNOULD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean François ARNOULD (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2021 by 🐞Hélène🐦 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2021 by 🐞Hélène🐦 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 6, 2019 by nerval (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2019 by Annette Krauß (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Loïc Tulasne (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3152520)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:558872-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Althaea officinalis L.)