Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

flower · leaf

A cousin of mallow: soft, mucilaginous flowers and young leaves, in salads or cooked.

Origin

Asia, naturalized everywhere

Where to find it

It blooms at the foot of walls in the lanes of the Île de Ré and Oléron; in China, it has been grown since antiquity.

Season (United States)

June to September

Preparation

The flowers are pulled from their green base and eaten raw; the young leaves are cooked for a few minutes.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Mucilages · Anthocyanins

Did you know?

Its purple petals were once used to deepen the color of wines.