Alcea rosea - Hollyhock

Family:	Malvaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	2.4
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	Althaea rosea.
Range:	The original habitat is obscure, it is probably of hybrid origin. A garden escape in Britain[17].

Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 2.4m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 6and is vunerable to frost.
Hollyhock will flower in January to March. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Hollyhock will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hollyhock prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Hollyhock should not be planted in shady areas.

Not known in a truly wild situation.

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils[1]. Poor soils should be enriched with organic matter[1, 111]. Prefers a heavy rich soil and a sheltered sunny position[200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. A very ornamental plant, it is usually grown as a biennial due to its susceptibility to the fungal disease 'rust'[1, 200]. There are many named varieties[238]. Young plants, and also the young growth in spring, are very attractive to slugs[K].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Young leaves - raw or cooked[2, 55, 177]. A mild flavour, but the texture leaves something to be desired[K]. They have been used as a pot-herb, though they are not particularly palatable[4]. They can also be chopped up finely and added to salads[K]. Inner portion of young stems - raw[101]. Flower petals and flower buds - raw. Added to salads[183]. A nutritious starch is obtained from the root[183]. A refreshing tea is made from the flower petals[183].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The flowers are demulcent, diuretic and emollient[4, 21]. They are useful in the treatment of chest complaints[4], and a decoction is used to improve blood circulation, for the treatment of constipation, dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhage etc[218]. The flowers are harvested when they are open and are dried for later use[238]. The shoots are used to ease a difficult labour[218]. The root is astringent and demulcent[240]. It is crushed and applied as a poultice to ulcers[218]. Internally, it is used in the treatment of dysentery[240]. The roots and the flowers are used in Tibetan medicine, where they are said to have a sweet, acrid taste and a neutral potency[241]. They are used in the treatment of inflammations of the kidneys/womb, vaginal/seminal discharge, and the roots on their own are used to treat loss of appetite[241]. The seed is demulcent, diuretic and febrifuge[240].

• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Demulcent - Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Emollient - Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.

Propagation

Seed - sow April/May or August/September in pots or in situ[200, 238]. Easily grown from seed, which usually germinates in about 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c[133, 268]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division after flowering. Only use rust-free specimens. Root cuttings in December. Basal cuttings at almost any time of year.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the stems is used in papermaking[189]. The fibres are about 1.9mm long. The stems are harvested in late summer, the leaves are removed and the stems are steamed until the fibres can be removed. The fibres are cooked with lye for 2 hours and then ball milled for 3 hours or pounded with mallets. The paper is light tan in colour[189]. The flowers are an alternative ingredient of 'Quick Return' herbal compost activator[32]. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[K]. The seed contains 12% of a drying oil[114, 240]. The red anthocyanin constituent of the flowers is used as a litmus[114]. A brown dye is obtained from the petals[168].

• Compost - Plants used for activating compost heaps, providing biomass for composting, using as instant compost etc.
• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Litmus - Used for testing whether a substance is acid or alkaline.
• Oil - Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
• Paper - Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.

Cultivars

'' - There are many named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide.
Polunin. O.
Author: Polunin. O.
Rating:
Publisher : An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1969

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.