THE DICOTYLEDONES 



1795 



Fig. 1688. — Malva syhestris. Flower in early 

 / stage of anthesis. 



There is no epicalyx and the flowers (Fig. 1689) are characterized by the 

 fact that the stamens do not bend down and the styles emerge through the 

 anther group. Many of the species are naturally pollinated by humming- 

 birds. A. avicennae is cultivated in China on account of the " China 



Fig. 1689. — Abutilon megapotamicum. Flower. 



Jute " which is obtained from it at the rate of a ton per acre. A. imiicum 

 and A. asiatiaun are cultivated in India for the same purpose. 



The genus Malva is interesting on account of the various types ot 

 pollination mechanism which it exhibits (Fig. 1690), which may be con- 

 sidered as representative of the family as a whole. The corolla is large and 

 brightly coloured and the flowers are rendered conspicuous by the pyramid 



