Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 687 (1753).

Synonymy: Althaea rosea (L.)Cav., Diss. 2:91 (1786).

Common name: Hollyhock.

Description:
Biennial or perennial herb, erect, usually under 2.5 m high; stems glabrous or, especially towards the apex, hairy; leaves suborbicular to deeply palmatifid even on the same plants, crenate or serrate, usually cordate, slightly to densely scabrid-tomentose on both surfaces, to 30 cm across on lower parts, decreasing in size upwards, usually long-petiolate.

Flowers in the axils of small leaves below but subtended by bract-like leaves above, 6-7 cm across; epicalyx segments narrow to fairly broad-triangular, to two-thirds of the length of the calyx; sepals 17-25 mm long; petals white or yellow to dark-red or purple.

Mericarps 6-7 mm long, deeply furrowed dorsally, membranous-winged.

	Alcea rosea
Image source: fig 432 in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Macoboy (1969) What flower is that? pl. 50.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NL, MU, YP, SL.   N.S.W. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Oct. — April.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: According to Webb (1968) Flora Europaea 2:254 probably of hybrid origin. The plants with deeply lobed leaves are sometimes referred to A. ficifolia L.

Author: Not yet available