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Alcea

Article Discussion

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Alcea is a genus of over 80 species of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae, commonly known as the hollyhocks.<ref name=foc>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They are native to Asia and Europe.<ref name=foc/> The single species of hollyhock from the Americas, the streambank wild hollyhock, belongs to a different genus.

DescriptionEdit

Hollyhocks are annual, biennial, or perennial plants usually taking an erect, unbranched form. The herbage usually has a coating of star-shaped hairs. The leaf blades are often lobed or toothed, and are borne on long petioles. The flowers may be solitary or arranged in fascicles or racemes. The notched petals are usually over three centimeters wide and may be pink, white, purple, or yellow. The fruit is a schizocarp, a dry disc divided into over 15 sections that contain seeds.<ref name=foc/>

SpeciesEdit

The following species are accepted:<ref name="25775-1" >{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Div col

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UsesEdit

Hollyhocks are popular garden ornamental plants. They are easily grown from seed. Breeds with red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Cultivars have been bred, especially from A. rosea. They include the double-flowered 'Chater's Double', the raspberry-colored 'Creme de Cassis', and 'The Watchman', which has dark, nearly black, maroon flowers.<ref name=bhg>Hollyhock: A. rosea. Better Homes and Gardens.</ref>

The stems of hollyhocks can be used as firewood, and the roots have been used medicinally.<ref name=foc/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Pests and diseasesEdit

File:Hollyhock Weevil (2713629786).jpg
Hollyhock weevil (Rhopalapion longirostre)

Alcea species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bucculatrix quadrigemina and Vanessa cardui, the painted lady.

The mallow flea beetle (Podagrica fuscicornis) is a pest that makes tiny holes in the leaves. Cutworms, aphids, and capsid bugs use the plant as a food source in hotter and drier conditions.<ref>Brickell, C., Ed. The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Dorling Kindersly, London. 1996. pg. 93. Template:ISBN</ref> A number of weevils use A. rosea as their host plant, including Rhopalapion longirostre, Alocentron curvirostre, and Aspidapion validum.<ref name=weevil>Wilhelm, G., et al. (2011). Sexual dimorphism in head structures of the weevil Rhopalapion longirostre (Olivier 1807) (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea): a response to ecological demands of egg deposition. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 104(3) 642-60.</ref>

The plants are also susceptible to the pathogenic fungus Puccinia malvacearum, the hollyhock rust.<ref>Hollyhock rust. Royal Horticultural Society.</ref>

CultureEdit

The Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival) is one of the three main festivals of the city of Kyoto. During the Victorian era, the hollyhock symbolized both ambition and fecundity in the language of flowers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The UK National Collection of hollyhocks is held by Jonathan Sheppard in Lincolnshire.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Aoix2.jpg

    Man carrying a hollyhock float during the Aoi Matsuri procession

GalleryEdit

  • Hollyhock - Kolkata 2011-02-25 1734.JPG

    Alcea sp.

  • Alcea-setosa--Chotmit--Zachi-Evenor.jpg

    Alcea setosa

  • Alcea rosea3 ies.jpg

    Sepals

  • Malva negra - Alcea rosea var. nigra - Hollyhock (7448054488).jpg

    Alcea rosea 'Nigra'

  • Alcea Rosea Hollyhocks flower plant.jpg

    Alcea sp.

  • Alcea Rosea Hollyhocks flower plant - Closer look.jpg

    Alcea sp. Closer look at the flower

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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