THE DICOTYLEDONES 



■93 



gardens in warm climates. However by far the most important member 

 of the family is the genus Gossyptum, from which the various sorts of 

 Cotton are prepared. 



The plants are herbs or shrubs with alternate, round or palmate, 

 stipulate, multicostate leaves which ^ 



often bear stellate hairs. Mucilage 

 sacs occur abundantly in the tissues. 



The flowers (Fig. 1686) may be 

 solitary or produced in cymose inflores- 

 cences. They are regular, hermaph- 

 rodite and hypogynous. 



The calyx is usually gamosepalous 

 and pentamerous. An epicalyx is often 

 present and consists of five segments 

 which are either bracteoles or may be 

 formed from the fused stipules of the 

 sepals. 



The corolla is usually regular, poly- 

 petalous and pentamerous. The petals 

 are usually adherent to the base of the 

 stamen tube and are twisted in aestiva- 

 tion. 



The androecium is made up of an indefinite number of monadelphous 

 stamens each bearing half an anther (Fig. 1687). These are derived by 

 the copious branching of five antipetalous stamens. The outer whorl has 



Fig. 1686. — Floral diagram of Malva. 

 Malvaceae. 



Fig. 1687. — Maha. Longitudinal section of flower. {After 



Rendle.) 



