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
Calendula officinalis oils. The flowers of "Calendula officinalis" contain flavonol glycosides, triterpene oligoglycosides, oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, saponins, and a sesquiterpene glucoside. Plant pharmacological studies have suggested that "Calendula" extracts may have anti-viral, anti-genotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties "in vitro". In an "in vitro" assay, the methanol extract of "C. officinalis" exhibited antibacterial activity and both the methanol and the ethanol extracts showed antifungal activities. Along with horsetails ("Equisetum arvense"), pot marigold is one of the few plants which is considered astringent despite not being high in tannins. Calendula officinalis Calendula officinalis, the pot marigold, ruddles, common marigold or Scotch marigold, is a plant