Hollyhocks - Alcea or Althaea Species?

The Difference Between Close Botanical Relatives of Hollyhock

Jul 20, 2009

Hollyhock flowers are favorites for traditional cottage gardens; however, the term 'hollyhock' is often used to describe both the Alcea and Althaea botanical species.

The Hollyhock is a popular and common flower found in many traditional cottage gardens; hollyhocks are easy to grow and may even produce flowers in the first year, if planted early enough. The Alcea species of hollyhock produces tall flowers and should not be confused with Althaea (or Mallow); both plant species are botanically related and belong to the Malvaceae plant family but the Althea species of hollyhocks are shorter.

Most hollyhocks are perennials but there are a few annual hollyhock species; Alcea hollyhocks have heart-shaped leaves and double-bloom flowers of white, crimson, pink, red, rose or yellow. Hollyhocks flower throughout the summer from July to September and often grow to a height of 6 feet or more.

The Althaea species have a common name of 'Mallow' and include bloom colors of pink, white and maroon; this particular species of 'hollyhock' is shorter in height than the Alcea species of hollyhock. Hollyhocks are ideal for cottage gardens as they are colorful and will grow up against walls and fences, creating a backdrop to other cottage garden flowers.

Roman and Greek Use of Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks were prevalent in ancient Roman times and it was common to find hollyhock flowers in Roman gardens, alongside rose and lily; hollyhock flowers have been depicted in art work found in ancient gardens. The ancient Greeks used the Althaea species of hollyhock as a sacrifice to Apollo in harvest celebrations; it was the Althaea species of hollyhock which had the greatest medicinal properties and was used as such by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Althaea is thought to be derived from the Greek word which means 'to heal', and therefore an appropriate name for the healing Althaea hollyhock species. The ancient Greeks used the roots of the hollyhock to treat inflammation, indigestion, diarrhea, earache and toothache. The medicinal benefits of hollyhock are also mentioned in the writings of Pliny.

The ancient Romans used the fruit and flowers of the Althaea species of hollyhock in many culinary recipes. Hollyhock is also used in traditional Chinese Medicine. In the Victorian Language of Flowers, hollyhocks had a meaning of fruitfulness and ambition, and white hollyhocks were said to represent the female ambition.

The Alcea species of hollyhock are the 'true' hollyhock flower; the Althaea species of hollyhock has medicinal and healing properties. The Alcea hollyhocks are taller than the Althaea hollyhocks; the Althaea hollyhock is better known as the 'mallow' or 'marshmallow' plant but as both species are related botanically and look similar, people often commonly group together both species of plants and refer to both species as 'hollyhocks.'

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The copyright of the article Hollyhocks - Alcea or Althaea Species? in Plant Species is owned by Sharon Falsetto. Permission to republish Hollyhocks - Alcea or Althaea Species? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.