Althaea hirsuta, L.

1. A. hirsuta L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 687 (1753).

Annual up to 60 cm, with numerous stiff, simple and some stellate hairs. Leaves suborbicular, cordate, crenate or dentate towards base of stem, becoming progressively more deeply lobed upwards; upper cauline leaves palmately 3- to 5-lobed; lobes linear, dentate or serrate. Stipules entire. Flowers solitary; pedicels longer than the subtending leaves. Epicalyx-segments lanceolate, acuminate, nearly as long as the calyx. Sepals lanceolate or ovate, longacuminate, erect in fruit. Petals c. 15 mm, scarcely exceeding the sepals, pinkish-lilac. Anthers yellow. Mericarps glabrous, transversely rugose, with a fine longitudinal rib on the dorsal

face. Dry places, often as a weed of cultivated ground; somewhat calcicole. S. & S.E. Europe, extending to S.E. Czechoslovakia. Al BI Bu Co Cr Cz Ga *Ge G r *He Hs Hu It Ju Lu Rm Rs (W, K, E) Sa Si Tu [Be].