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Common hollyhock

How to identify Common hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

Common hollyhock, also known as Garden hollyhock

Common hollyhock exhibit towering stalks reaching up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall, adorned with a profusion of large, showy flowers each about 3-5 inches (7.6-12.7 centimeters) in diameter. These blooms come in a spectrum of hues ranging from white to dark red. The plant features broad, rough leaves with a heart-shaped base and a slightly lobed edge. The substantial stems are sturdy, capable of supporting the heavy flowers yet may require staking in windy areas. The foliage forms a low rosette around the base of the plant.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial, Biennial, Annual

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Common hollyhock

1

Towering stalks up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall

2

Large, showy flowers 3-5 inches (7.6-12.7 cm) in diameter

3

Heart-shaped base on broad leaves

4

Schizocarp fruits with segmented structure

5

Robust, unbranched stem with fine hairs

Common hollyhockCommon hollyhockCommon hollyhockCommon hollyhockCommon hollyhock

Detailed Traits of Common hollyhock

Leaf Features

The leaves of common hollyhock are up to 8 inches (20 cm) long and across, palmately lobed with 3-7 blunt lobes. Each leaf blade is orbicular or oval, indented at the base, and has crenate margins. The upper surface is slightly pubescent to hairless, wrinkled with fine veins, and the lower surface is light green and pubescent.

Leaf Shape

Circular ,
Cordate ,
Palmate

Common hollyhock Leaf Shape image
Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Cordate

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Common hollyhock Leaf Arrangement image
Leaf Apex

Acute ,
Obtuse

Leaf Margin

Entire ,
Crenate

Learn About the Leaf Glossary
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Flower Features

The flowers of common hollyhock are notable for their large size, spanning 3-5 inches (7.5-12.5 cm) when fully open. The petals overlap and come in shades of white, pink, or purplish red. Each flower nods sideways from short, hairy pedicels. The light green, ovate sepals are smaller than the petals and are accompanied by similarly colored, hairy bracts joined at the base. Blooming from mid-summer into fall, the flowers appear individually or in small clusters along the central stem.

Common hollyhock Flower imageCommon hollyhock Flower imageCommon hollyhock Flower image
Corolla Type

Rosaceous

Inflorescence Type

Solitary ,
Fascicle

Common hollyhock Inflorescence Type image
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Stem Features

The stem of common hollyhock is tall and robust, typically unbranched or with minimal branching. It is light green in color, cylindrical (terete) in shape, and covered with a noticeable layer of fine hairs. The thickness of the stem can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, providing sturdy support for the plant. This hairy texture and light green coloration are distinctive features for identifying the stem of common hollyhock.

Common hollyhock Stem imageCommon hollyhock Stem image
Learn About the Stem Glossary
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Fruit Features

The fruit of common hollyhock is a schizocarp, distinguishable by its segmented structure that splits into multiple one-seeded sections when mature. Each fruit forms a ring-like array composed of 15-20 flat, oval seeds, each approximately 0.2 to 0.3 inches (5-8 mm) in size. These seeds have a unique notched edge on one side, providing a clear identification mark. While the overall fruit may vary in color depending on maturity, the seeds exhibit a consistent, earthy hue. The texture is characteristically dry and papery upon maturity.

Common hollyhock Fruit imageCommon hollyhock Fruit imageCommon hollyhock Fruit image
Fruit Type

Capsule

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
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Key Facts About Common hollyhock

Attributes of Common hollyhock
Lifespan
Perennial, Biennial, Annual
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
1.5 m to 2.5 m
Spread
50 cm to 1 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
5 cm to 10 cm
Flower Color
Pink
Red
White
Yellow
Purple
Orange
Cream
Violet
Fruit Color
Brown
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Common hollyhock

Family
Mallow
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Species
Common hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Learn More About the Common hollyhock

Distribution Map of Common hollyhock

Common hollyhock originates from Turkey, where it has been cultivated so long that its original wild habitat is unknown. This garden ornamental has had global distribution but is most likely to grow wild as an escapee from cultivation in temperate climates around the globe.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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