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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Marsh mallow

Mallow \Mal"low\, Mallows \Mal"lows\, n. [OE. malwe, AS. mealwe, fr. L. malva, akin to Gr. mala`chh; cf. mala`ssein to soften, malako`s soft. Named either from its softening or relaxing properties, or from its soft downy leaves. Cf. Mauve, Malachite.] (Bot.) A genus of plants ( Malva) having mucilaginous qualities. See Malvaceous.

Note: The flowers of the common mallow ( Malva sylvestris) are used in medicine. The dwarf mallow ( Malva rotundifolia) is a common weed, and its flattened, dick-shaped fruits are called cheeses by children. Tree mallow ( Malva Mauritiana and Lavatera arborea), musk mallow ( Malva moschata), rose mallow or hollyhock, and curled mallow ( Malva crispa), are less commonly seen.

Indian mallow. See Abutilon.

Jew's mallow, a plant ( Corchorus olitorius) used as a pot herb by the Jews of Egypt and Syria.

Marsh mallow. See under Marsh.

Marsh mallow

Marsh \Marsh\, n. [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See Mere pool, and cf. Marish, Morass.] A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also marish.] Marsh asphodel (Bot.), a plant ( Nartheeium ossifragum) with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white flowers; -- called also bog asphodel. Marsh cinquefoil (Bot.), a plant ( Potentilla palustris) having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places; marsh five-finger. Marsh elder. (Bot.)

  1. The guelder-rose or cranberry tree ( Viburnum Opulus).

  2. In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt marshes ( Iva frutescens). Marsh five-finger. (Bot.) See Marsh cinquefoil (above). Marsh gas. (Chem.) See under Gas. Marsh grass (Bot.), a genus ( Spartina) of coarse grasses growing in marshes; -- called also cord grass. The tall Spartina cynosuroides is not good for hay unless cut very young. The low Spartina juncea is a common component of salt hay. Marsh harrier (Zo["o]l.), a European hawk or harrier ( Circus [ae]ruginosus); -- called also marsh hawk, moor hawk, moor buzzard, puttock. Marsh hawk. (Zo["o]l.)

    1. A hawk or harrier ( Circus cyaneus), native of both America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above, with a white rump. Called also hen harrier, and mouse hawk.

    2. The marsh harrier.

      Marsh hen (Zo["o]l.), a rail; esp., Rallus elegans of fresh-water marshes, and Rallus longirostris of salt-water marshes.

      Marsh mallow (Bot.), a plant of the genus Alth[ae]a ( Alth[ae]a officinalis) common in marshes near the seashore, and whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent.

      Marsh marigold. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary.

      Marsh pennywort (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous genus Hydrocotyle; low herbs with roundish leaves, growing in wet places; -- called also water pennywort.

      Marsh quail (Zo["o]l.), the meadow lark.

      Marsh rosemary (Bot.), a plant of the genus Statice ( Statice Limonium), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also sea lavender.

      Marsh samphire (Bot.), a plant ( Salicornia herbacea) found along seacoasts. See Glasswort.

      Marsh St. John's-wort (Bot.), an American herb ( Elodes Virginica) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored flowers.

      Marsh tea. (Bot.). Same as Labrador tea.

      Marsh trefoil. (Bot.) Same as Buckbean.

      Marsh wren (Zo["o]l.), any species of small American wrens of the genus Cistothorus, and allied genera. They chiefly inhabit salt marshes.

WordNet
marsh mallow

n. European perennial plant naturalized in United States having triangular ovate leaves and lilac-pink flowers [syn: white mallow, Althea officinalis]

Usage examples of "marsh mallow".

Horace and Martial mention the laxative properties of the Marsh Mallow leaves and root, and Virgil tells us of the fondness of goats for the foliage of the Mallow.

Cadfael wanted comfrey and marsh mallow, both the leaves and the roots, and knew exactly where they grew profusely.

Freshly prepared root and leaf of comfrey to heal Elaves broken head, marsh mallow to sooth the surface soreness, were better than the ready-made ointments or the poultices from dried material in his workshop.

As a dry excipient, powdered Acacia is employed, mixed in small proportion with powdered Marsh Mallow root, or powdered Liquorice root.