posted 7 years ago
Yep, it looks a lot like Himalayan hollyhock, which is native here. This one is indeed in the mallow family and has edible leaves when small. I'm not sure ours is perennial; I think it's a freely self-seeding annual, but I'm not really sure. It is Lavatera kashmiriana. I doubt yours is the same species, but looks similar.
Himalayan-Hollyhock.jpg
Himalayan-Hollyhock-closeup.JPG
Works at a residential alternative high school in the Himalayas SECMOL.org . "Back home" is Cape Cod, E Coast USA.