[al-thee-uh] 
| 1. | the rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus. |
| 2. | any plant belonging to the genus Althaea, of the mallow family, having lobed leaves and showy flowers in a spikelike cluster, including the hollyhocks and marsh mallows. |
[al-thee-uh] | a female given name: from a Greek word meaning “wholesome.” |
| 1. | Also called althea. a widely cultivated shrub or small tree, Hibiscus syriacus, of the mallow family, having showy white, reddish or purplish flowers. |
| 2. | Also called Aaron's-beard. a St.-John's-wort, Hypericum calycinum, having evergreen foliage and showy yellow flowers. |
| 3. | a plant mentioned in the Bible. Song of Solomon 2:1. |
| al·the·a also al·thae·a (āl-thē'ə) n.
[Latin, mallows, from Greek althaia, from althainein, to heal; see al-2 in Indo-European roots.] |
| hol·ly·hock (hŏl'ē-hŏk') n. A tall plant (Alcea rosea) native to the Middle East and widely cultivated for its showy clusters of very large, variously colored flowers. Also called althea. [Middle English holihocke, marsh mallow : holi, holy; see holy + hoc, mallow (from Old English).] |
| rose of Sharon n.
[After the Plain of Sharon.] |