Herbaceous plant ( Althaea rosea ) of the mallow family, native to China but widely cultivated for its handsome flowers.
The several varieties include annual, biennial, and perennial forms. The stalk, growing about 5–9 ft (1.5–2.7 m) tall, bears leaves with five to seven lobes and, along the upper portion, commonly white, pink, red, or yellow flowers.
Hollyhock ( Althaea rosea )
Lefever/Grushow from Grant Heilman Photography, Inc.