Alcea, commonly known as hollyhocks, is a genus of about 60 species of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae. They are native to Asia and Europe.
Hollyhocks are annual, biennial, or perennial plants usually taking an erect, unbranched form.
The herbage usually has a coating of star-shaped hairs.
The leaf blades are often lobed or toothed, and are borne on long petioles.
The flowers may be solitary or arranged in fascicles or racemes.
The notched petals are usually over three centimeters wide and may be pink, white, purple, or yellow.
The fruit is a schizocarp, a dry disc divided into over 15 sections that contain seeds.
Reference: Wikipedia