Genus Althaea is a group of flowering plants that belongs to the family Malvaceae. Commonly known as marshmallows, these plants are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Apart from the scientific name "Genus Althaea", this plant has several other synonyms such as Althaea, Althaea officinalis, and Althaea river. The common marshmallow, white mallow, mallards, and sweet weed are a few other names attributed to these plants. Known for their medicinal properties, the roots and leaves of marshmallow plants are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including coughs, sore throats, and skin irritations. These ornamental plants are also grown for their beautiful pink, white, or purplish flowers.