Tag Archives: Althaea

Althaea vranjensis Diklić & V. Nikolić

Vranja Marshmallow (Althaea vranjensis 

This enigmatic species was growing exclusively around the city of Vranja in southeast Serbia.  

The species disappeared (when?) after the destruction of parts of its habitat due to urban development by the city of Vranja, and the conversion of the remaining parts for agriculture purposes.  

I have to admit, however, that the exact status of this plant (accepted species or synonym) seems not to have been clarified yet.  

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There is another form of marshmallow, the Kragujevac Marshmallow (Althaea kragujevacensis Pančić ex Diklić & Stevan.), which was thought to be restricted to the vicinity of the city of Kragujevac in Šumadija, Central Serbia.  

This form was long thought to represent a distinct and now extinct, endemic Serbian species, but is now, however, treated as a synonym of the Common Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.).

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edited: 15.10.2020