Marshmallow Leaf Powder and 50 similar items

1 oz - ZIN: 513602 - Marshmallows, those deliciously squidgy pink and white cubes or cylinders dusted with icing sugar are known to children of every age. One wonders how many still derive from the charming plant which is not given the herb garden place its beauty deserves. From a strong and almost woody root-stock marshmallow makes a robust 4-foot high clump, softly greyish green and downy in all its parts. Unobtrusive pea sticks pushed in and around the clump when it is only a foot high ensure that it does not break open. Rather small grey-lavender mallow flowers are carried for a long period from early summer on. The whole effect is gentle, making a fine foil for the striking shapes of, say, Madonna lilies or vivid colours of bergamots and giant hyssops. Both the young shoots and roots can be eaten but its commercial uses - for the sweetmeat and for health - are solely from the latter.