Althaea

[ al-thee-uh ]

noun

, Classical Mythology.

1. wife of Oeneus and mother of Toxeus, Tydeus, Meleager, and Deianira.

althaea

/ ælˈθiːə /

noun

1. any Eurasian plant of the malvaceous genus Althaea, such as the hollyhock, having tall spikes of showy white, yellow, or red flowers
2. another name for rose of Sharon

Word History and Origins

Origin of Althaea¹

C17: from Latin althaea, from Greek althaia marsh mallow (literally: healing plant), from Greek althein to heal

Example Sentences

When marshmallows were originally conceived in ancient Egypt, they were derived from a plant called Althaea officinalis and utilized as an herbal medicine.

From Salon

Modern marshmallows no longer contain sap from their namesake, Althaea officinalis, the marshmallow plant.

From Washington Post

Ancient Egyptian royalty ate the sap of Althaea officinalis, a mallow plant that grows in marshes, mixed with nuts and honey.

From Washington Post

Shrubby althaea Round-flowered catsclaw Rue family Salt cedar Sensitive briar Silk weed Silver berry Sneeze weed.

From Project Gutenberg

Althaea rosea.—The hollyhock is a noble perennial, 6 to 15 ft. high, with flowers of every colour except blue.

From Project Gutenberg