112 \ \ V . M A fiT A fE F. 



21. Hibiscus Abelmoschus, ZiH». 82^. PI. (1753) p. 696. A tall 

 annual ; stems clothed with lon<j; deflexed hairs. Leaves polymorphous, 

 more or less cordate, the lower ovate, acute or roundish-angled, the 

 upper palmately 3-7-h)bed divided nearly to the base ; lobes narrow- 

 acute, or oblong-ovate, crenate, serrate, or irregularly toothed, hairy on 

 both surfaces ; petioles 1 in. long, hairy ; stipules ^ in. long, subulate, 

 hairy. Pedicels stout, equalling or shorter than the petioles. Invo- 

 lucral bracts 8-12, t'ulvous-hairy, | in. long, shorter than tlie calyx, 

 caducous. Calyx 1^ in. long, hairy, ovoid, cuspidate in bud ; sepals 

 connate, except af the tips, 5-toothed at the apex, splitting down one 

 side. Corolla 3 in. across, yellow with purple centre. Capsules fulvous- 

 hairy, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Seeds subreniform, blackish, with a 

 few raised striiv. Fl. B. I. v. 1, p. 342; Guerke, in Mart. Fl. Bras. 

 V. 12, part 3, p. 570 ; Trim. Fl. Ceyl. v. 1, p. 156 ; Woodr. in Journ. 

 Bomb. Nat. v. 11 (1897) p. 128 ; Watt, Diet. Eeon. Prod. v. 4, p. 229. 

 Ahelmosclnis moschatas, Medik. Malv. p. 46 ; K. Sebum, in Engl. & 

 Prantl, Pflanzenf. v. 3, part 6, p. 49, fig. 21, b-f ; (jrrah. Cat. p. 14. 

 A. mn!!catus(?), Dalz. & Gibs. Suppl. p. 7. — Flowei's in the cold season. 

 The Musk-mallow. Vekn. Kasturi-bhendi. 



The stems yield an excellent fibre. The seeds when ground are used 

 in perfumery, possessing an odor of musk, and are knoun in Europe 

 under the title " grains d'ambrette." Consult Watt, Diet. Econ. Prod. 1. c. 



Cultivated extensively tliroiigbout the Presidency and in most tropical countries. — 

 DisTRiB. Tropics of the Old World. 



22. Hibiscus esculentus, Linn. Sp. PI. (1753) p. 696. Hairy, 

 erect, not prickly. Leaves cordate, 3-5-lobed ; lobes oblong, coarsely 

 toothed, scabrous ; petioles 6 in. long, hairy ; stipides subulate. Pedicels 

 about 1 in. long. Involucral bracts 8-10, deciduous, equaUing the 

 calyx. Flowers yellow with pin-ple centre. 8taminal-tube antheriferous 

 throughout. Fruit ])yramidal-oblong, 6-S-ribbed, 7-9 by 1-1 5 in. 

 Seeds striate, hairy. Fl. B. I. v. 1, p. 343; Guerke, in Mart. Fl. Bras. 

 V. 12, part 3, p. 569 ; Woodr. in Journ. Bomb. Nat. v. 11 (1897) p. 128 ; 

 Watt, Diet. Econ. Prod. v. 4, p. 237. Ahehuoschus esmlentvs, W. & A. 

 Prodr. p. 53 : Dalz. & Gibs. Suppl. p. 7; K. Schum. in Engl. & Prantl, 

 Pflanzenf. v. 3, part 6, p. 48, fig. 20, k. — Flowering time depends on 

 the tirce of sowing. Vern. Bliendi ; Rama-turai ; Bhajklii-hhendi. 



Extensively cultivated throughout India, where the fruit and seeds are used as a 

 vegetable, and also medicinally, as a demulcent. 



Tlic native country of the plant is doubtful, but it is probably of j\frican origin, 

 though naturalized in India. — Distiuh. Naturalized or cultivated in most tropical 

 countries. 



23. Hibiscus tiliaceus, Linn. Sp. PL (1753) p. 694. A tree ; 

 young jiarts jjuhescent. Leaves 4-5 in. long, cordate, rouudish-ovate, 

 abruptly acuminate, finely reticulately veined, entire or crenulate ; 

 petioles H-2 in. long ; stipules subulate. Flowers in terminal racemes; 

 peduncles witli a small linear deciduous bract at tlie base ; pedicels 

 short, stout. Involucral bracts 10, connate above the middle, lanceolate, 

 acute, shorter than the calyx, tomentose. Calyx | in. long, divided 

 nearly to the base ; lobes narrow-lanceolate with a prominent mid-nerve, 

 tomentose. Corolla 2-3 in. across, ])ubescent outside, yellow in the 

 morning, turning red in the afternoon, centre dark crimson. Sfaminal- 



