Marshmallow, called Althaea Officinalis in the botanical world, is a flowering herbaceous perennial from the family Malvaceae, commonly known as the mallow or hibiscus family. Growing around marshy areas and wetlands in its native range, the marshmallow plant features oval or heart-shaped leaves and small pinkish flowers that appear on long stalks. The plant itself only grows up to 3 to 4 feet, on average. However, sometimes it can grow up to 6.5 feet tall. The leaves, flowers, and the root of marshmallow plant have been used for various medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The root, however, is more valued than the other parts for its medicinal properties.