Either annuals or perennials, from Europe through to Asia, including a couple native to Britain. 10-20 species, with lobed leaves, wiry stems and 5-petalled flowers, in summer into autumn. One of the UK natives, is A. officinalis, from which the root sap has been used to make marshmallow.
The flowers produce abundant nectar and pollen which is attractive to a wide range of insects including bumblebees, hoverflies and beetles.