See text Althaea is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia.

As of October 2020[update], Plants of the World Online accepts the following species:[1] The root contains starch (37%), mucilage (11%), pectin (11%), flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose, and asparagine.

The traditional medicinal uses of the plant are reflected in the name of the genus, which comes from the Greek althainein, meaning "to heal".

[2] The Roman poet Horace refers to his own diet in his Odes, which he describes as very simple: "As for me, olives, endives, and smooth mallows provide sustenance."

[better source needed] [3] The root's emulsifying property is used for cleaning Persian carpets in the Middle East.