Hollyhock
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 Alcea setosa | ||||||||||||
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The hollyhocks comprise about 60 species of flowering plants in the genus Alcea in the mallow family Malvaceae, native to southwest and central Asia. They are biennial or short-lived perennial plants growing to 1-3 m tall, with broad, rounded, palmately lobed leaves and numerous flowers, pink or yellow in the wild species, on the erect central stem.
Alcea species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bucculatrix quadrigemina.
Species
About 60 species, including:
- Alcea biennis
- Alcea ficifolia - Antwerp Hollyhock
- Alcea heldreichii
- Alcea lavateriflora
- Alcea pallida
- Alcea rosea - Common Hollyhock
- Alcea rugosa
- Alcea setosa - Bristly Hollyhock
- Alcea striata
- Alcea sulphurea
Uses
Hollyhocks are popular garden ornamental plants, with numerous cultivars selected, particularly from A. rosea. The flowers have been selected for variations in colour, with dark purple, red and white-flowered plants available in addition to the colours found in wild plants.
Hollyhocks are very drought resistant, and do well in full sun locations that might be too hot or dry for other plants. They produce large, flat coin-shaped seeds (1/2" diameter) that seem to grow easily wherever they drop. While an individual plant might only live a handful of years, by that time chances are good it will leave plenty of descendants.
Cultivation: Plants flower from from mid-summer to autumn so a little care in cultivation is well worthwhile: they are best staked,as reaching 1.5 to 2 metres high in a season they have rather poor wind resistance. Are very prone to disfiguring rust disease - evident as bright orange pustules on leaves and stems - which spoil the appearance; fortnightly fungicide sprays will keep rust at bay; most effectively by using different products in rotation.
Culture
A stylized, symmetrical hollyhock is the seal of the Tokugawa family in Japan, and is often used as a reference to the era in Japan's history where that family ruled the country. Also known is the character 'Aoi no Ue' (or 'Awoi no Uye' 葵上, 'Lady Hollyhock') from The Tale of Genji.
