Althaea (plant) Althaea (plant) Althaea is a genus of 6–12 species of perennial herbs native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. It includes "Althaea officinalis", also known as the marshmallow plant, whence the fluffy confection got its name. They are found on the banks of rivers and in salt marshes, preferring moist, sandy soils. The stems grow to 1–2 m tall, and flower in mid summer. The leaves are palmately lobed with 3–7 lobes. "Althaea" species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including "Bucculatrix quadrigemina". The genus formerly included a number of additional species now
Sanguisorba officinalis as landfills. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) where it is known by the name Di Yu. It is said to cool the blood, stop bleeding, clear heat, and heal wounds (Chinese Herbal Materia Medica by Dan Bensky). Specifically, the root is used to stop bloody dysentery, nosebleeds, and is applied topically to treat burns and insect bites. Sanguiin H-6 is a dimeric ellagitannin that can be found in "S. officinalis". Ziyuglycoside II is a triterpenoid saponin that can be found in "S. officinalis". Sanguisorba officinalis Sanguisorba officinalis, the great burnet, is a plant in the family