Althaea
/ælˈθiː.ə/noun
A genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, including marshmallow.
Did you know?The name Althaea is tied to Greek *althaínein* (“to heal”), and the plant’s medicinal reputation helped make marshmallow one of history’s most famous soothing herbs.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀλθαία (althaía)
“The plant althaea/mallow, associated with healing”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀλθαίνειν (althaínein)
“To heal, cure”
Late Latin
Latin
althaea
“A mallow or marshmallow plant”
Middle English
English
altea / althaea
“A medicinal mallow-like plant”
Modern English
English
Althaea
“A genus of mallow plants”