Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:

Clapham, Tutin & Warburg separate Alcea rosea and Alcea ficifolia. That
is the only "recent" botanical work that I know of that separates the
two forms. (They also have Alcea x cultorum for hybrid A. rosea x
ficifolia.)

Alcea are very close to the Malva, arent' they? Though they both
require different environment (?)

The taxonomy of hollyhocks is surprisingly poorly known - there may be
as many as 70 species, mostly found in Turkey, northern Iraq and Iran.

(snip)

Your research are so interesting but I wouldn't do them justice as
there are too many. Haven't you thought of extending your work and look
into the Alceas?! Or perhaps you are?

(snip)

I'm pretty sure that the claims that A. rosea originated in China and A.
ficifolia in Siberia are errors.

Hence the different environment you would say?