Re: [gardeners] Althea officinalis uses
Jane Burdekin (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Tue, 9 Mar 1999 11:30:59 -0600
David you got it! That is the one!! Now to figure out what use it is
other than eating it which was ok when I was a kid but maybe not now.
Thank you so much. Jane
>Here's one with more weeds, including Malva parviflora:
>
>http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/weeds_common.html
>
>David Smith
>
>
>At 08:23 AM 3/9/99 -0600, you wrote:
>>Thanks, I'll check into both of those however neither are on the virtual
>>garden site. Does anyone know where there is a weed identifier site?
>>
>>Jane
>>
>>>You description sounds a lot like what we call cheese weed. We have two
>>>types: the common mallow and little leaf mallow (m. parvafolia). Both are
>>>common in cultivated crops, landscapes and gardens. Sounds like yours could
>>>be either one. When we were kids, we used to nibble on the cheesy
>>>buttonlike fruit. The only use I know of is to chop it up with the
>>>lawnmower before the seeds develop and compost it. We also have a globe
>>>mallow that grows wild in landscapes but it is kind of pretty (in bloom
>>>right now) and we usually let it grow if it doesn't get in the way. -Olin
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Jane Burdekin <burdekij@bvsd.k12.co.us>
>>>Subject: Re: [gardeners] Althea officinalis uses
>>>
>>>
>>>> ...The plant I am looking at in the garden is
>>>>definately a weed ... is low to the ground and spreads out in
>>>>a rosette shape. The leaves are round and scalloped on the edges. It
>>>>produces small whitish/purplish flowers and forms a button shaped like a
>>>>hollyhock seed button later. It has a carrot like tap root that is heading
>>>>for China and if you leave any piece of it a new plant (weed) will form.
>>>>Any ideas???
>>>>
>>>>Jane
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> At 05:23 AM 3/8/99 -0700, you wrote:
>>>>> ><snip>I got distracted trying to find out if the "weed" called
>>>>> >Malva was of some value. I recently took an herb class and it is one of
>>>>> >the plants the instructor pointed out. Does any one know if it is the
>>>>same
>>>>> >as marshmallow plant. I am thinking it is Althaea officinalis but I
>>>>can't
>>>>> >find a picture to confirm it. If that is the right name there seems to
>>>>be
>>>>> >many uses for this common weed that I keep digging and throwing in the
>>>>> >compost. If it is that I sure hope I haven't completely iradicated it
>>>>from
>>>>> >the garden, what are the odds of that? I better get out there and
>>>>finish
>>>>> >preparing for pea planting tonight.
>>>>> >
>>>>> >Jane
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi Jane,
>>>>>
>>>>> I have some info from, "The Herb Book", by John Lust. Says, common names
>>>>> for Althea officinalis is Marshmallow, mortification root, sweet weed,
>>>>> wymote. The medicinal parts are root, leaves, flowers.
>>>>>
>>>>> Properties and uses... Demulcent, emollient, diuretic. It's particular
>>>>> excellence is soothing irritated tissue. Externally, use it as a
>>>>poultice
>>>>> for irritations, burns, carbuncles, and furuncle, and wounds. (what the
>>>>> heck is a furuncle?).
>>>>>
>>>>> It says more, but I don't have time to type it all out this morning. If
>>>>> you really want more, let me know and I will type up the rest of the
>>>>> decoction info etc. I also have info on Malva sylvestris and Malva
>>>>> rotundifolia if you need it.
>>>>>
>>>>> A good place to start looking for a pic is at virtual garden
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.vg.com/cgi-bin/VG/vg
>>>>>
>>>>> Cynthia
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> **Womyn Who Moves Mountains-Little Finger Of Michigan**
>>>>> **cmayeaux@traverse.com **USDA zone 4b-Sunset zone 41**
>>>>> ** http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Studios/2659/garden/cynthia.html **
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>