March Mellow is undoubtedly the most handsome of all wild flowers. Botanical name is Althaea officinalis and belongs to the mallow family.
Pictures of Marsh Mallow taken in Kukkarahalli Lake, Mysore.
March Mellow are found in swamps, lake shores and marshes standing tall with large Magenta, Pink or White flowers clustered on peduncles at the tip of the stems. With 5 petals, 50clefted Calysx, stamens are together with 5 velvety tipped stigmas. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and sun birds. Blooming season is from August to September.
The leaves are 4 to 6 inches long. When this plant is picked from the marshes and planted in a garden, it adapts itself very well to the new environment.
The plant has many medicinal properties. Its roots were used to prepare the confectionary marshmallow.