Althaea officinalis
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Althaea officinalis

marshmallow

  family malvaceae 
  genus althaea 

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Identification
Genus  Althaea Species  officinalis Variety  Cultivar  Common names  marshmallow Family  MALVACEAE Specimen number  S11712 Data source  HtZn p74;MedPl p163
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Perennial Life span  3 - 10 years Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Flower Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height  4' - 5' Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Full sun Water  Moist to wet Optimal soil texture  Various Acceptable soil pH  Neutral USDA hardiness  USDA zones 03a-09b AHS heat zones  Heat zones 09-01 Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  Althaea officinalis can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -40� Fahrenheit. Marshmallow needs summer days with high heat. Full sun is needed for this plant to do its best. It needs soil that is moist to wet.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  laxative   demulcent   antiasthmatic   urinary antiseptic Medicinal parts  Root   Leaves   Flowers Has medicinal uses  yes Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes  %s is edible. Marshmallow has too many possible beneficial herbal uses to fully enumerate. A few of its uses include: as a laxative, as a demulcent, as an antiasthmatic and as a urinary antiseptic. See the medicinal properties section for the full list. Other species with the same medicinal qualities include Althaea rosea. The root as well as the leaves and the flowers are used in herbal preparations.
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Division Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  yes Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  Propagation of Althaea officinalis can be achieved by division.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Althaea officinalis is a perennial.

Page 224 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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