marsh mallow

Althaea officinalis

Marsh mallow is a soft, fluffy plant that grows in wet places. It has pretty pink or white flowers and big green leaves. People have used it for a long time to make sweet treats and medicine!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The marsh mallow has tall, upright stems covered in soft, velvety leaves. Its delicate, five-petaled flowers are typically pale pink to white, often with a slightly darker center, clustered in leaf axils. It often appears quite bushy with a grayish-green hue due to its fine hairs.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusAlthaea

marsh mallow

Interesting facts

All parts of the marsh mallow plant, from leaves to roots, are edible and have been enjoyed for centuries!

Its scientific name, Althaea, means "to heal" in Greek, reflecting ancient soothing uses.

The fluffy, sugary treat "marshmallow" was first made from this plant's sweet roots!

This plant is covered in tiny, soft hairs that give its leaves a fuzzy, velvety feel!

Special abilities

Marsh mallow has special gooey substances (mucilage) that help it store water and soothe irritations in the body.

Marsh mallow can grow very long taproots, helping it reach deep water sources in its damp, marshy habitats.

Measurements & details

Height: 60-150 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 2-4 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to early autumn
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Collecting its sweet nectar

pollinates

Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Helping spread its pollen

eats

Common Cockchafer

Melolontha melolontha

Larvae feeding on its roots

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.