Alcea rosea, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 254

2. A. rosea L. , Sp. Pl. 687 (1753)

( Althaea rosea (L.) Cav. ).

Stem glabrescent or sparsely setose with deflexed hairs, tomentosepubescent only on youngest parts. Leaves cordate-orbicular to rhombic, weakly 3- to 5-lobed, slightly scabrid-setulose. Epicalyxsegments deltate to triangular-lanceolate, as long as the subacute, triangular sepals. Petals 30-50 mm, contiguous, usually pink but sometimes white or violet. Mericarps 7 mm; dorsal face with deep, narrow furrow; angles rugose, produced into parallel wings; lateral faces appressed-setose. O f unknown origin; cultivated in gardens throughout Europe and widely naturalized. [Au Br Bu Cz Ga Ge He Hs Hu It Ju Lu Rm Rs.] Not known anywhere as an indigenous plant; probably a hybrid of 1 with 3 or with an Asiatic species. The customary ascription of China as the country of origin is certainly false. Cultivated plants show variation in many characters, especially of calyx and epicalyx, but the combination of winged mericarps, wide petals, and absence of tomentum from the mature stem is distinctive . Some garden plants have yellow or yellowish flowers and more deeply divided leaves, but in other respects resemble 2; they have been given the name of A. ficifolia L. , Sp. Pl. 687 (1753) ( Althaea ficifolia (L.) Cav. ), which does not seem to refer to any wild plant. They are probably hybrids with 6 or a related species.3