ALTHÆA, MARSHMALLOW: A genus of the polyandria order, belonging to the monodelphia class of plants; and, in the natural method, ranking under the 37th order, Colunnifera. The characters are: The calyx is a double perianthium, the exterior one nine-cleft:
The corolla consists of five petals, coalesced at the base: The stamina consist of numerous filaments inserted into the corolla; the antheræ are kidney-shaped. The stigma has an orbicular germin; a short cylindrical style; and numerous brittle stigmata, the length of the style: The pericarpium consists of numerous arille: The seeds are solitary, and kidney-shaped. There are three
Species. 1. The vulgaris, or common marshmallow, is a native of Britain, and hath a perennial root, and an annual stalk, which perishes every autumn. The stalks grow erect to the height of four or five feet. These are garnished with leaves which are hoary, soft to the touch, and placed alternately on the branches. The flowers come out from under the wings of the leaves, like the mallow, and are of a purplish white. 2. The hirsuta, or hairy marshmallow, is a native of Spain and Portugal. It is a low plant, whose branches trail on the ground, unless they are supported by stakes. The leaves and stalks are beset with strong hairs, the flowers come out like those of the common sort, but are smaller, and have purplish bottoms. 3. The cannabina, or shrubby marshmallow, is a native of Hungary and Istria. It has a woody stem, which rises to the height of four or five feet; and puts out many side-branches. The flowers come out in the same manner as in the others, but are of a deeper red colour. This sort seldom flowers the first year, unless the summer proves warm; but when the plants live through the winter, they will flower early in the following summer, and produce good seeds.
Culture. Though the first sort is found naturally in salt marshes, it will thrive when transplanted into any soil, or in any situation; however, it will always grow larger in moist than in dry soil. It may be propagated either by parting the roots in autumn when the stalks decay, or by sowing the seeds in the spring. If the seeds of the second species are sown in April, the plants will flower in July, and carry ripe seed in September. They ought to be sown in the places where they are to remain, as the roots shoot deep in the ground; so that unless the plants are removed very young, they seldom survive it. The seeds of the cannabina ought also to be sown where the plants are to remain, for the reason just now given. They should have a sheltered situation and a dry soil, otherwise they will not live through the winter. Indeed they seldom continue in this country above two years, with all the care that can be taken of them.
Medicinal Uses. The first is the only species used in medicine. The whole plant, especially the root, abounds with a mild mucilage. It has the general virtues of an emollient medicine; and proves serviceable in a thin acrimonious state of the juices, and where the natural mucus of the intestines is abraded. It is chiefly recommended in sharp defluxions upon the lungs, hoarsefness, dysenteries; and likewise in nephritic and calculous complaints: not, as some have supposed, that this medicine has any peculiar power of dissolving or expelling the calculus; but as, by lubricating and relaxing the vessels, it procures a more free and easy passage. The root is sometimes employed externally for softening and maturing hard tumours; chewed, it is said to give ease in difficult dentition of children.
This root gave name to an official syrup, decoction,
tion, and ointment; and was likewise an ingredient in the compound powder of gum tragacanth and the oil and plaster of mucilages. But of all these formulae the syrup alone is now retained.