Papaveracea.

ATHEE ROSEA.

Class XVI.

GARDEN HOLLYHOKE.

MONADELPHIA. Order VIII. POLYANDRIA.

Gen. Char. Calyx, double; the exterior six or nine-cleft. Capsules, numerous and one-seeded.

Spe. Char. Leaves, simple and downy.

The root is perennial, long, woody, fibrous, of a white color, tough, and very deeply set in the ground; the stem is upright, round, downy, from three to five feet in height, and somewhat branched towards the top; the leaves are alternate, petiolate, heart-shaped, pointed, serrated, downy, and those towards the top of the stalk somewhat cornered; the flowers proceed from the axillæ of the leaves in thick pannicles, along the stem and branches in spikes, small leaves, flowers, and buds for flowers together; the petals are five in number, broad, round, and assume a variety of colors; the calyx is double, the exterior being divided into about nine segments, and the interior into five; the filaments are numerous, united at their bases, and supporting kidney-shaped anthers; the germen orbicular, bearing a cylindrical style, which supports many stigmas; the seeds are numerous and uniform.

The present figure is a representation of the Athea rosea, formerly known and called by the name of Malva arborea, by Salmond, and by others Malva rosea.

Athea hortensis, Double-flowered Holyhoke, in its roots, stalks, leaves, magnitude, manner and form of growing, and its seeds exactly resembles the former, the difference being the present one is double,

Vol. iii.-51.

whereas the former is single flowered. The double variety very much resembles the Double Roses, it being set thick with leaves, so much so that no style or stamen is seen in the middle; the outward row of petals are much the largest, and the inner smaller and more thickly set together; the colors of which are manifold and various. Athac arborea, Outlandish Tree Holyhoke, has a large, long, woody, somewhat fibrous root; the stalk generally perishes every year, but in some climates survives two winters, and then decays. This variety grows more tree-like than an herb, having its stalk or body woody, and often from six to ten inches in circumference; the leaves are double the size of the common kind, soft and wooly, but not so white and downy, and sometimes ruffled at the edges; it seldom flowers the first year, and on the second the stalk spreads itself into several branches. This plant is a native of France, and seldom comes to maturity in this country.

Atheæ rosea arborea marina nostras, English Tree Sea Hollyhoke. This variety has a large white, woody root, beset with numerous small, stringy fibres; its stem, leaves, and manner of growing, very much resembles the one last described. The stalk is about the size of a man's arm, of a grayish ash color; the leaves are whitish and wooly, almost as large as the former, and as soft and smooth as velvet; the flowers are of a whitish, or diluted purple color, in form like the last, but not as large.

The first two grow only in gardens, and are to be found in almost all parts of the civilized world: it is said to be a native of Africa, where it is found in great profusion, especially along the coasts and borders of rivers. The last two are natives of Europe, inhabiting the sea-coast.

Propagation and Culture. The garden Hollyhoke is cultivated in nearly every part of the United States, in borders and waste places about the gardens. As an ornament, few plants excel it in beauty. It thrives best in a moist, loamy soil, and is cultivated with very little care, only requiring the ground softened at the time of

planting its seeds, and once or twice weeding. The seeds should be planted early in the spring, about one foot from each other, and in rows from three to four feet apart: in this manner the largest number of petals or flowers can be obtained, which are the only parts valued for medicinal purposes, and usually command a high price at the shops. The cultivation of this plant would richly repay for its labor. It produces its flowers in July and August, in great profusion.

Medical Properties and Uses. The flowers of the Athea rosea possess astringent and expectorant properties. A tea made, and drank freely, has been found highly useful in the treatment of leucorrhoea and other female weaknesses; but the most important purpose for which the flowers are in demand at the present time, is in the preparation of an article called the Conserve of Hollyhoke, or, by some, the Bread of Life. This conserve is prepared by taking one ounce of the petals of Atheæ rosea, three ounces of Ulmus fulva, one-fourth of an ounce of Capsicum, and one pound of white Havana sugar, all finely pulverized and well mixed together; after which add sufficient alcohol to make it into the consistency of a fresh loaf of bread, and lay it away to dry, when it will be ready for use. This conserve, eaten several times a day, in quantities from ten to twenty grains each, I have found to be invaluable in bronchitis, sore or ulcerated throat, foul stomach, colds, coughs, and in restoring the tone of the digestive organs to a proper action; and would therefore recommend it as being worthy of the consideration of the profession.