Althaea hirsuta L.

Spice Flower 1 Flower 2 In the field

Family: MALVACEAE

Genus: Althaea

Catalan common name: Malví hirsut.

Spanish common name: Cañamera azul. Malvavisco peludo.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Dragonera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Fields and road sides.

Characteristics: The Althaea genus can be differentiated from Malva and Lavatera because the epicalyx, which is a type of extra calyx the malvaceae have, is made up of more than three parts. This species is an annual plant which generally measures less than a palm in height. It has greatly divided leaves at the top and others at the base that are rounded and weakly lobulated, which also have a long stalk. The flowers have a beautiful pinkish-lilac hue. It lives in dry ground with annual plants and flowers at the end of spring.