Althea rosea: Althea or Alkea the pink
Plant annual, biennial or short-lived perennial, with upright fluffy stem, large round gray-green leaves, is found in the Eastern Mediterranean.
It can grow in a wide range of soils. It prefers fertile soil, sunny and sheltered places.
Flowers may be white, pink, yellow, orange or dark red. Different colors prefer different soils. In particular, darker colors prefer lighter soils.
It flowers from May to September.
Parts of the plant are eaten raw or cooked.
Leaves, seeds and roots are considered therapeutic and used in traditional medicine.