42 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Alth2ea. L. 15. 12. 



.5. officinalis. L. Marsh Mallows. Found on the seacoast 

 in salt marshes, with a strong, erect stem, two feet high ; thick- 

 woolly, and leaves cordate and soft-downy on both sides ; entire, 

 or 3-lobed ; large purple flowers ; blossoms in August ; probably 

 introduced. 



^. rosea. L. Common Hollyhock. Well known in our gar- 

 dens ; flowers red, white, yellow, very dark-brown. Within a 

 few years the column of stamens has changed into small petals, 

 arranged into three or more stellate sets, and adding much to the 

 beauty of the flower. Leaves heart-form. 



.5. ficifolia. L. Fig-leafed Hollyhock, has leaves some- 

 what palmate in 7 lobes. 



Hibiscus. L. 15. 12. 



H. palustris. L. Marsh Hibiscus. Grows about salt marsh- 

 es ; stem 3 — 5 feet high, erect, downy, with ovate and dentate 

 leaves, soft-downy beneath, and whitish ; flowers large, purple ; 

 outer calyx of numerous divisions ; inner calyx of 5 sections ; 

 blossoms in August ; on Charles River. Big. The fibres of 

 the bark are strong, and are wrought sometimes into cordage. 



Several exotic species are cultivated for ornamental plants, as H. 

 Moscheutos, W., H. Syriacus^ Li. ; H. Trionum^ L., or Bladder 

 Ketmia, Flower of an Hour, is a common species in the gardens. 



Malva. L. 15. 12. 



J[l. rotundifolia. L. Low Mallows. Has a prostrate stem, 

 with roundish and cordate leaves ; flowers white and reddish-white, 

 pedicelled ; grows in fields, and especially about houses ; blossoms 

 from June to October, and is common everywhere, being like 

 catnep, motherwort, &c., one of the attendants of man in his 

 habitations in temperate climes. 



M. Sijlvestris. L. High Mallows. Somewhat naturalized, 

 growing for years without any cultivation; stem 4-6 feet high, 



