Alcea rosea Alcea rosea Alcea rosea, the common hollyhock, is an ornamental plant in the family Malvaceae. It was imported into Europe from southwestern China during, or possibly before, the 15th century. William Turner, a herbalist of the time, gave it the name "holyoke" from which the English name derives. "Alcea rosea" is variously described as a biennial (having a two-year life cycle), as an annual, or as a short-lived perennial. It frequently self-sows, which may create a perception that the plants are perennial. The plant may flower during its first year when sown early. It will grow in a wide range
Acis rosea (flower stalks) are short, 1–5 mm long. There are two spathes. "Acis rosea" was first described in 1804 by F. Martin, as "Leucojum roseum". In 1829, Robert Sweet transferred it to "Acis". However, "Acis" was not accepted by most botanists, who continued to use a broadly circumscribed "Leucojum". "Acis" was reinstated in 2004, after it was determined on morphological and molecular grounds that the broadly defined genus "Leucojum" was paraphyletic. "Acis rosea" is native to the two western Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. It is found in rocky ground, dry pastures and sandy places. "Acis rosea" is cultivated as