Alcea rosea

Species category

Flower

Common name

Antwerp hollyhock, hollyhock

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

MericarpMericarp:
One-half of a two-sectioned fruit known as a schizocarp (e.g. carrot).

Shape

Discoid

Size

  • Length: 5–7 mm
  • Width: 5–7 mm
  • Thickness: 1 mm

Color

Black, brown, or gray

Texture

Three zones: margin with scales, midsection hairy and base glabrousGlabrous:
Lacking hairs or pubescence.
.

Other structures

Deep notch at hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).

Identification notes

The unit is compressed and slightly wedge-shaped.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Malvaceae

Valid name

Alcea rosea L.

Synonyms

Alcea ficifolia L.
Althaea nigra (L.) Cav.

 Alcea rosea.  Discoid mericarp.
Alcea rosea. Discoid mericarp.
 Alcea rosea.  Deep hilum attachment.
Alcea rosea. Deep hilum attachment.
 Alcea rosea . Three zones: margin with scales, midsection hairy, and base glabrous. 
Alcea rosea. Three zones: margin with scales, midsection hairy, and base glabrous. 
 Alcea rosea . Face of the mericarp. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Alcea rosea. Face of the mericarp. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.