Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker

Mallow

Althaea officinalis

The large and important family of Mallows are most abundant in the tropical region, where they form a large proportion of the vegetation; towards the poles they gradually decrease in number. Lindley states that about a thousand species had been discovered, all of which not only contain much mucilage, but are totally devoid of unwholesome properties. Besides the medicinal virtues of somany species, some are employed as food; the bark of others affords a substitute for hemp; the cotton of commerce is obtained from the seed vessels of yet other species, and many ornamental garden flowers are also members of this group, the Hibiscus and our familiar Hollyhock among the number.

Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker - Mallow Flower Fairy

I am Mallow; here sit I Watching all the passers-by. Though my leaves are torn and tattered, Dust-besprinkled, mud-bespattered, See, my seeds are fairy cheeses, Freshest, finest, fairy cheeses! These are what an elf will munch For his supper or his lunch. Fairy housewives, going down To their busy market-town, Hear me wheedling: "Lady, please,Pretty lady, buy a cheese!" And I never find it matters That I'm nicknamed Rags-and-Tatters, For they buy my fairy cheeses, Freshest, finest, fairy cheeses!
	Mallow Althaea officinalis The large and important family of Mallows are most abundant in the tropical region, where they form a large proportion of the vegetation; towards the poles they gradually decrease in number. Lindley states that about a thousand species had been discovered, all of which not only contain much mucilage, but are totally devoid of unwholesome properties. Besides the medicinal virtues of somany species, some are employed as food; the bark of others affords a substitute for hemp; the cotton of commerce is obtained from the seed vessels of yet other species, and many ornamental garden flowers are also members of this group, the Hibiscus and our familiar Hollyhock among the number.