Edible: Flowers, Leaves, Roots, Stem
A short lived perennial plant. It grows for about 2 years. It grows 1.5-2.5 m high and spreading to 60 cm wide. The stem is erect, leafy and flowering. The leaf stalks are 5-15 cm long. The leaf blade is nearly round and 6-16 cm across. There are 5-7 lobes arranged like fingers on a hand. The lobes are triangular. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. They are bowl shaped. The petals are crinkled. Flowers are red, purple, pink, white, yellow and black and 6-10 cm across.
It is a temperate plant. Plants are frost hardy. Plants can tolerate temperatures down to about -15°C. It grows best in a sheltered sunny position and in a heavy rich soil. It will grow in most soils. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. The soil should be well drained. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. In Yunnan.
Common Names: Dulhatma, Malva real, Malvavisco, Mandinhhong, Rožlin, Rubeerwa, Shu kui, Sichuan Kui, Thucquy
Synonyms:
Alcea biennis Winteri;
Alcea ficifolia Nyman;
Althaea caribea Sims;
Althaea chinensis Wall.;
Althaea rosea (L.) Cav.;
and others