Saturday, July 16, 2016

Meet Some Malvaceae


Someone asked  while back if hollyhocks were related to hibiscus and I checked. The answer is yes, they are both members of the rather sprawling family of Mallows or Malvaceae. (Wikipedia link HERE)


I have some others of the family blooming right now . . . .


The okra picture is from another year . . . 

I was charmed to learn that cotton and cacao are from the same family.

And to find out that all parts of the holly hock are edible. Here's a LINK with some uses, including the hollyhock doll so many of you all remembered.


5 comments:

Ms. A said...

I love pink flowers!

Package is in Greensboro.

Frances said...

This is so interesting. I would have guessed that hollyhocks and hibiscus might have been related...but the Okra connection is amazing. I don't think I have actually ever seen an Okra flower before now.

And so I thank you, dear Vicki, for adding something new to my brain. Now I wonder if I might have some sort of Okra appearance in tonight's dreamland, as my overnight brain tries to file away this new info. I sometimes love the sort of visual exploration of puns that dreams include.

Sweet dreams. xo

Anvilcloud said...

I have grown both hollyhocks and malva in the past.

katy gilmore said...

Favorites of mine - great to paint those generous petals. Your garden must be so beautiful.

Jime said...

I love the flowers, but just give me some okra rolled in corn meal and fried in bacon fat. Pure heaven