Stemless Hollyhock

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Alcea acaulis is chamaeophyte and semi-shrub plant belongs to Malvaceae family. It is mostly creeping and stemless. The leaves are alternate, entire and dentate or serrate. The flowers are pink, purple or white and the flowering period from March to May. It is found from the Mediterranean region to south Asia and is widely dispersed in temperate regions of the world.

Ecology:

It grows mainly in Batha and Phrygana, it belongs to the Mediterranean chorotype. The chemical constituents of different varieties vary depending on the type of species or cultivars as well as cultivation conditions such as soil type, weather, irrigation, pruning, and other horticulture practices.

Medicinal uses:

It is an essential component of several industrial applications that range from food to pharmaceutical products, all plant parts are used. It is used for pain, stomach ulcers, wound healing, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Whole plant /flowers are used to treat cough, respiratory infections, constipation, treatment of pimples, laxative, treatment of gum swelling, mouth wounds.

Other uses:

It is a decorative plant because of its showy flowers of various colors. It has applications in cosmetics due to its antidandruff property and is used as a lotion. A number of dyes are obtained from different parts of this plant, which can be used to dye different fabrics. Different parts of the plant have also been used as a source of food.

Distributions in palestine:

Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Shrub-steppes.

IUCN red list status: not evaluated

Local status: least concern