hol·ly·hock 
(hŏlē-hŏk′)
(hŏlē-hŏk′)n.
A tall plant (Alcea rosea syn. Althaea rosea) in the mallow family, 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).]