Hollyhocks by the Pond: Large Round Leaves and Cauliflower-Like Flower Stalks

Hollyhocks by the Pond: Large Round Leaves and Cauliflower-Like Flower Stalks

A gardener had a perennial by a pond in full shade, tolerating dryness. Leaves 16 inches across, light green, one large round leaf per stalk (like celery). Leaves die in late fall. Flower stalks appear mid-late winter, 8 inches tall, thick, cauliflower-like but smaller. Thick rhizomes. Slugs love it. Zone 8. Leaf edges have small harmless spikes.

Unknown plant

Expert Identification

The plant looks like hollyhocks, but the expert wasn't sure without flowers. They asked if "8 inches" might be "8 feet" and provided a Google Images link for hollyhocks.