Biennial to perennial herbs. Leaves petiolate, entire to parted, usually densely stellate hairy. Flowers axillary, solitary or on terminal branches in pseudo-raceme, pedicellate; epicalyx segments usually 6-9, basally connate. Calyx 5.lobed. Corolla large, more than 3 cm long. Staminal column 5 angled, glabrous; anthers usually yellowish. Mericarps 18-40, incompletely 2-celled by false septum, lower cell 1-seeded, upper cell without seed, dorsally grooved, often winged. Seeds reniform.

A genus with about 60 species chiefly of E. Mediterranean region. It is represented by 3 species in Pakistan.

Lower Taxa

• Alcea lavateraeflora (DC.) Boiss.
• Alcea pallida (Waldst.& Kit.)
• Alcea rosea Linn.

Related Synonym(s):

• Althaea lavateraeflora DC. = Alcea lavateraeflora (DC.) Boiss.
• Althaea pallida W. & K. = Alcea pallida (Waldst.& Kit.)
• Althaea roses (L). Cay. = Alcea rosea Linn.