Althaea officinalis - Marsh Mallow - (Malvaceae)

Pictures by kind permission of Anne Horsfall

The delightful pink and white marshmallow sweets are probably this wildflower's main claim to fame. The mucilage of the roots is the ingredient contributed by this grey and woolly-looking plant, and to this sugar, egg whites and vanilla are added.

The preferred habitats for Marsh Mallow are coastal wetlands and salt marshes. The plant grows up to 2m in height and its lovely flowers are very pale pink. The triangular, grey and downy leaves are very soft and pleasant to the touch. Marsh Mallow is a member of the family Malvaceae.

Throughout history various parts of this plant have been used as an aphrodisiac, to make potions to cure aches, pains and hangovers, and also poultices to draw out bee and other insect stings. The fruits of the plant have also attracted attention - they are rounded, and as a result the plant has been called Billy Buttons, Cheeses, and even the Pancake Plant.

In the UK and other parts of Northern Europe Marsh Mallow blooms from August to September; it is most often found in the coastal areas of the south and west of England and Wales. This plant is also spread throughout much of the western Mediterranean region, and there it flowers from July onwards. Marsh Mallow plant