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Overview
Alcea contains around 60 species of annual, biennial and perennial plants characterised by their tall, unbranched spikes of 5-petalled flowers. They are native to dry, rocky or grassy temperate areas of Europe and Asia and grown for their large, colourful, funnel-shaped flowers which bloom in summer. Some species have been cultivated to produce double flowers and there are a wide range of colours and patterns available.