Not a hibiscus, this pretty pink bloom is a marsh mallow, (Althaea officinalis). It prefers salt marsh habitats, such as Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, where this image was captured.
The plant hails from Europe, transplanted originally because of its medicinal qualities, purported to help asthma, colds and coughs and skin inflammations. The mallow family of plants includes useful and pretty relations to the marsh mallow including the hollyhock, okra and the rose of Sharon.
The roots of the marsh mallow are the source for the original marshmallow candy, which was created by boiling the soft inner pulp from the roots with sugar until very thickened.
From the University of Maryland Medical Center site about Marshmallow (Althea officinalis): "Romans, Chinese, Egyptians, and Syrians used marsh mallow as a source of food, while the Arabs made poultices from its leaves and applied them to the skin to reduce inflammation. The root and leaves contain a gummy substance called mucilage. When mixed with water, it forms a slick gel that is used to coat the throat and stomach to reduce irritation, and is applied topically to soothe chapped skin."
That gummy substance mucilage means "jelly-like" - and this plant's root now has been replaced by gelatin and sugar and other ingredients in the making of the campfire variety of marshmallow. (Herbalists could cook up a small batch using plants, but to make mass quantities called for some ingenuity. )
One beloved marshmallow creation is Fluff, manufactured in Lynn, Mass. This is the company that created the "Fluffernutter" sandwich (peanut butter and Fluff) and its rather famous "no-fail fudge" recipe.Image above and this information is from the company: What is Fluff made from?
Marshmallow Fluff contains corn syrup, sugar syrup, dried egg whites and vanillin.
There are no artificial preservatives, stabilizers or emulsifiers in any of our products.
And to those who cannot buy Fluff in their local stores, products can be ordered online or by phone; see www.marshmallowfluff.com for information.
And one town in Indiana fetes the marshmallow in all its glory at the Ligonier Marshmallow Festival, which the American Bus Association listed as one of the top 100 fairs and festivals events of the year (Sept. 3 to Sept. 7).
Other uses of marshmallows include Peeps brand novelties, Rice Krispie treats, the classic melty roasted-on-a-stick-at-campfires variety, and s'mores.
