This plant known as marshmallow plant
is actually a beautiful flowering plant that gives its name to the dessert, not
the other way around. The marshmallow plant is native to Western Europe and
North Africa, the botanical name of the plant is Althaea officinalis and the
plant has had an important place in human culture for millennia. The marshmallow
plant root was boiled and eaten as a vegetable by the Romans, Greeks, and
Egyptians. Also it is mentioned as being eaten in times of famine in the Bible.
Furthermore, the marshmallow plant has
also been used medicinally for a longtime. (The name “Althea,” in actual fact,
comes from the Greek “althos,” which simply means “healer”). The plant root actually
contains a slimy sap that humans aren’t able to digest. When it’s eaten, it actually
passes through the digestive system and leaves behind a soothing coating. Even
today the marshmallow plant is used for a wide variety of medical ailments. The
plant gets its common name, however, from a confection developed in Europe much
later.
Some French chefs later discovered
that the sap from the plant roots could be whipped with sugar and egg whites to
create a sweet, moldable treat. Thus, the ancestor of the modern marshmallow
was born. Unfortunately, the marshmallows you buy in the store today are not
made from this plant.
How to Care for Marshmallow Plant
If you actually want to grow
marshmallow plants at home you will need a relatively wet place to do it. As
the name actually suggests, marshmallow plants like moist soil. Marshmallow plants
grow best in full sun. The plants tend to reach a height of about four to five
feet and they should not be grown with other sun loving plants, as they will
quickly grow up and shade them out. The Marshmallow plants are very cold hardy,
and they can survive down to USDA zone four. The Marshmallow seeds are best
sown directly into the ground in late summer or early fall. The Marshmallow plant
seeds can also be planted in the spring, though they will need to be chilled
for several weeks first. Once they are established, little care is needed for
the plant, as the plants are considered fairly low maintenance.
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